Patient and physician perspectives on the use and outcome measures of mHealth apps: Exploratory survey and focus group study
Objective Factors that physicians and patients consider when making decisions about using or recommending health apps are not well understood. We explored these factors to better assess how to support such decision making. Methods We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study in Ontario using qu...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Digital Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076221102773 |
| _version_ | 1818552224334217216 |
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| author | Rita Jezrawi Sarmini Balakumar Rafia Masud Itzhak Gabizon Vinai Bhagirath Jobin Varughese Michael Brown Dan Trottier JD Schwalm Michael McGillion Elizabeth Alvarez Cynthia Lokker |
| author_facet | Rita Jezrawi Sarmini Balakumar Rafia Masud Itzhak Gabizon Vinai Bhagirath Jobin Varughese Michael Brown Dan Trottier JD Schwalm Michael McGillion Elizabeth Alvarez Cynthia Lokker |
| author_sort | Rita Jezrawi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective Factors that physicians and patients consider when making decisions about using or recommending health apps are not well understood. We explored these factors to better assess how to support such decision making. Methods We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study in Ontario using qualitative focus groups and quantitative surveys. 133 physicians and 94 community dwelling adults completed online surveys and we held two focus groups of nine community dwelling participants who had cardiovascular risk factors and an interest in using mHealth apps. Quantitative survey data was analyzed descriptively. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim prior to inductive thematic content analysis. We integrated the results from the surveys and focus groups to understand factors that influence physicians' and patients' selection and use of such apps. Results Physicians recommend apps to patients but the level of evidence they prefer to use to guide selection did not align with what they were currently using. Patients trusted recommendations and reviews from medical organizations and healthcare professionals when selecting apps and were motivated to continue using apps when they supported goal setting and tracking, data sharing, decision making, and empowerment. Conclusions The findings highlight the significance of evaluating mHealth apps based on metrics that patients and physicians value beyond usage and clinical outcome data. Patients engage with apps that support them in confidently managing their health. Increased training and awareness of apps and creating a more rigorous evidence base showing the value of apps to supporting health goals will support greater adoption and acceptance of mHealth apps. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T09:10:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-18ad817569914d0db8744d88c587e580 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-2076 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T09:10:24Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Digital Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-18ad817569914d0db8744d88c587e5802022-12-22T00:29:32ZengSAGE PublishingDigital Health2055-20762022-05-01810.1177/20552076221102773Patient and physician perspectives on the use and outcome measures of mHealth apps: Exploratory survey and focus group studyRita Jezrawi0Sarmini Balakumar1Rafia Masud2Itzhak Gabizon3Vinai Bhagirath4Jobin Varughese5Michael Brown6Dan Trottier7JD Schwalm8Michael McGillion9Elizabeth Alvarez10Cynthia Lokker11 Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, , Hamilton, Canada Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, , Toronto, Canada Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, , Hamilton, Canada Department of Cardiology, Soroka University Medical Center, University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel Department of Medicine, , Hamilton, Canada Queen Square Family Health Team, Brampton, Canada Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, , Hamilton, Canada Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, , Hamilton, Canada Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, , Hamilton, Canada School of Nursing, , Hamilton, Canada Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, , Hamilton, Canada Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, , Hamilton, CanadaObjective Factors that physicians and patients consider when making decisions about using or recommending health apps are not well understood. We explored these factors to better assess how to support such decision making. Methods We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study in Ontario using qualitative focus groups and quantitative surveys. 133 physicians and 94 community dwelling adults completed online surveys and we held two focus groups of nine community dwelling participants who had cardiovascular risk factors and an interest in using mHealth apps. Quantitative survey data was analyzed descriptively. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim prior to inductive thematic content analysis. We integrated the results from the surveys and focus groups to understand factors that influence physicians' and patients' selection and use of such apps. Results Physicians recommend apps to patients but the level of evidence they prefer to use to guide selection did not align with what they were currently using. Patients trusted recommendations and reviews from medical organizations and healthcare professionals when selecting apps and were motivated to continue using apps when they supported goal setting and tracking, data sharing, decision making, and empowerment. Conclusions The findings highlight the significance of evaluating mHealth apps based on metrics that patients and physicians value beyond usage and clinical outcome data. Patients engage with apps that support them in confidently managing their health. Increased training and awareness of apps and creating a more rigorous evidence base showing the value of apps to supporting health goals will support greater adoption and acceptance of mHealth apps.https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076221102773 |
| spellingShingle | Rita Jezrawi Sarmini Balakumar Rafia Masud Itzhak Gabizon Vinai Bhagirath Jobin Varughese Michael Brown Dan Trottier JD Schwalm Michael McGillion Elizabeth Alvarez Cynthia Lokker Patient and physician perspectives on the use and outcome measures of mHealth apps: Exploratory survey and focus group study Digital Health |
| title | Patient and physician perspectives on the use and outcome measures of mHealth apps: Exploratory survey and focus group study |
| title_full | Patient and physician perspectives on the use and outcome measures of mHealth apps: Exploratory survey and focus group study |
| title_fullStr | Patient and physician perspectives on the use and outcome measures of mHealth apps: Exploratory survey and focus group study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Patient and physician perspectives on the use and outcome measures of mHealth apps: Exploratory survey and focus group study |
| title_short | Patient and physician perspectives on the use and outcome measures of mHealth apps: Exploratory survey and focus group study |
| title_sort | patient and physician perspectives on the use and outcome measures of mhealth apps exploratory survey and focus group study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076221102773 |
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