Using an mHealth App (iGAM) to Reduce Gingivitis Remotely (Part 2): Prospective Observational Study

Tobias, Guy; Spanier, Assaf B.

doi:10.2196/24955

Cited by 6 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…We found that a weekly dental selfie using the iGAM app reduced the signs of gingivitis and promoted oral health. These findings were published in part 2 of this series of articles [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Perceptions and Attitudes Toward the Use of a Mobile Health App for Remote Monitoring of Gingivitis and Willingness to Pay for Mobile Health Apps (Part 3): Mixed Methods Study

Tobias¹,

Sgan‐Cohen²,

Spanier³

et al. 2021

JMIR Form Res

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Background Gum infection, known as gingivitis, is a global issue. Gingivitis does not cause pain; however, if left untreated, it can worsen, leading to bad breath, bleeding gums, and even tooth loss, as the problem spreads to the underlying structures anchoring the teeth in the jaws. The asymptomatic nature of gingivitis leads people to postpone dental appointments until clinical signs are obvious or pain is evident. The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated social distancing, which has caused many people to postpone dental visits and neglect gingival health. iGAM is a dental mobile health (mHealth) app that remotely monitors gum health, and an observational study demonstrated the ability of iGAM to reduce gingivitis. We found that a weekly dental selfie using the iGAM app reduced the signs of gingivitis and promoted oral health in a home-based setting. Objective The aim of this mixed methods study is to assess perceptions, attitudes, willingness to pay, and willingness to use an mHealth app. Methods The first qualitative phase of the study included eight semistructured interviews, and the second quantitative phase included data collected from responses to 121 questionnaires. Results There was a consensus among all interviewees that apps dealing with health-related issues (mHealth apps) can improve health. Three themes emerged from the interviews: the iGAM app is capable of improving health, the lack of use of medical apps, and a contradiction between the objective state of health and the self-definition of being healthy. Participants were grouped according to how they responded to the question about whether they believed that mHealth apps could improve their health. Participants who believed that mHealth apps can enhance health (mean 1.96, SD 1.01) had a higher willingness to pay for the service (depending on price) than those who did not believe in app efficacy (mean 1.31, SD 0.87; t119=−2417; P=.02). A significant positive correlation was found between the amount a participant was willing to pay and the benefits offered by the app (rs=0.185; P=.04). Conclusions Potential mHealth users will be willing to pay for app use depending on their perception of the app’s ability to help them personally, provided they define themselves as currently unhealthy.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Perceptions and Attitudes Toward the Use of a Mobile Health App for Remote Monitoring of Gingivitis and Willingness to Pay for Mobile Health Apps (Part 3): Mixed Methods Study

Tobias¹,

Sgan‐Cohen²,

Spanier³

et al. 2021

JMIR Form Res

Self Cite

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“…For medical apps, of the 11 definitions, 6 (55%) were published in German. As for health apps, most descriptions for medical apps came from Germany (7/11, 64%) or the United States (2/11, 18%), only 9% (1/11) came from Australia [ 71 ], and 9% (1/11) came from Canada [ 72 ]. b German publications translated by the authors (MF, HHD, and TJ) into English.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For health apps, the 2 dominant topics were the health aim of health apps and the used or produced data. Only a few definitions (2/22, 9%) addressed the missing regulation and the functions of the apps ( Multimedia Appendix 2 [ 21 , 35 , 48 , 51 , 53 - 58 , 60 - 66 , 68 - 72 ]).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Except for 9% (2/22) of the publications [ 54 , 72 ], every definition addressed the aim of health apps. A total of 45% (10/22) of the papers [ 35 , 51 , 56 - 58 , 62 - 65 , 68 ] named health promotion as a goal of health apps.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Less frequently stated were the health aims disease prevention and disease management [ 53 , 69 ]; illness or disease self-management [ 53 ]; behavior tracking [ 70 ]; access to health information ; psychological suppor t; and decision-making support to facilitate collaboration between the patient, their family, and their physician [ 69 ]. More generally, Tobias and Spanier [ 72 ] spoke about health conditions .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Definitions of Health Apps and Medical Apps From the Perspective of Public Health and Law: Qualitative Analysis of an Interdisciplinary Literature Overview

Maaß¹,

Freye²,

Pan³

et al. 2022

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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Background The terms health app and medical app are often used interchangeably but do not necessarily mean the same thing. To better understand these terms and better regulate such technologies, we need distinct definitions of health and medical apps. Objective This study aimed to provide an overview of the definitions of health and medical apps from an interdisciplinary perspective. We summarized the core elements of the identified definitions for their holistic understanding in the context of digital public health. Methods The legal frameworks for medical device regulation in the United States, the European Union, and Germany formed the basis of this study. We then searched 6 databases for articles defining health or medical apps from an interdisciplinary perspective. The narrative literature review was supported by a forward and backward snowball search for more original definitions of health and medical apps. A qualitative analysis was conducted on the identified relevant aspects and core elements of each definition. On the basis of these findings, we developed a holistic definition of health and medical apps and created a decision flowchart to highlight the differences between the 2 types. Results The legal framework showed that medical apps could be regulated as mobile medical devices, whereas there is no legal term for health apps. Our narrative literature review identified 204 peer-reviewed publications that offered a definition of health and medical apps. After screening for original definitions and applying the snowball method, 11.8% (24/204) of the publications were included in the qualitative analysis. Of these 24 publications, 22 (88%) provided an original definition of health apps and 11 (44%) described medical apps. The literature suggests that medical apps are a part of health apps. To describe health or medical apps, most definitions used the user group, a description of health, the device, the legal regulation, collected data, or technological functions. However, the regulation should not be a distinction criterion as it requires legal knowledge, which is neither suitable nor practical. An app’s intended medical or health use enables a clear differentiation between health and medical apps. Ultimately, the health aim of an app and its main target group are the only distinction criteria. Conclusions Health apps are software programs on mobile devices that process health-related data on or for their users. They can be used by every health-conscious person to maintain, improve, or manage the health of an individual or the community. As an umbrella term, health apps include medical apps. Medical apps share the same technological functions and devices. Health professionals, patients, and family caregivers are the main user groups. Medical apps are intended for clinical and medical purposes and can be legally regulated as mobile medical devices.

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The digital transformation of hepatology: The patient is logged in

Simonetto

Halamka

et al. 2022

Hepatology

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The rise in innovative digital health technologies has led a paradigm shift in health care toward personalized, patient-centric medicine that is reaching beyond traditional brick-and-mortar facilities into patients' homes and everyday lives. Digital solutions can monitor and detect early changes in physiological data, predict disease progression and health-related outcomes based on individual risk factors, and manage disease intervention with a range of accessible telemedicine and mobile health options. In this review, we discuss the unique transformation underway in the care of patients with liver disease, specifically examining the digital transformation of diagnostics, prediction and clinical decision-making, and management. Additionally, we discuss the general considerations needed to confirm validity and oversight of new technologies, usability and acceptability of digital solutions, and equity and inclusivity of vulnerable populations.

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Using an mHealth App (iGAM) to Reduce Gingivitis Remotely (Part 2): Prospective Observational Study

Cited by 6 publications

References 34 publications

Perceptions and Attitudes Toward the Use of a Mobile Health App for Remote Monitoring of Gingivitis and Willingness to Pay for Mobile Health Apps (Part 3): Mixed Methods Study

Perceptions and Attitudes Toward the Use of a Mobile Health App for Remote Monitoring of Gingivitis and Willingness to Pay for Mobile Health Apps (Part 3): Mixed Methods Study

The Definitions of Health Apps and Medical Apps From the Perspective of Public Health and Law: Qualitative Analysis of an Interdisciplinary Literature Overview

The digital transformation of hepatology: The patient is logged in

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