Evaluating the quality and safety of health-related apps and e-tools: Adapting the Mobile App Rating Scale and developing a quality assurance protocol
| Autor: | Haley M LaMonica, Toby Wong, Anna E Roberts, Hyei-Won Moon, Ian B. Hickie, Tracey A Davenport |
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| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
050103 clinical psychology
Technology Knowledge management Computer science media_common.quotation_subject Health Informatics Information technology 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Cronbach's alpha Rating scale Psychology 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences Quality (business) 030212 general & internal medicine Mobile health media_common Protocol (science) business.industry 05 social sciences Usability Apps T58.5-58.64 Full length Article Quality assurance BF1-990 Inter-rater reliability Mobile phone Mental health Digital tools business |
| Zdroj: | Internet Interventions Internet Interventions, Vol 24, Iss, Pp 100379-(2021) |
| ISSN: | 2214-7829 |
| Popis: | Background Whilst apps and e-tools have tremendous potential as low-cost, scalable mental health intervention and prevention tools, it is essential that consumers and health professionals have a means by which to evaluate their quality and safety. Objective This study aimed to: 1) adapt the original Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) in order to be appropriate for the evaluation of both mobile phone applications as well as e-tools; 2) test the reliability of the revised scale; and 3) develop a quality assurance protocol for identifying and rating new apps and e-tools to determine appropriateness for use in clinical practice. Methods The MARS was adapted to include items specific to health-related apps and e-tools, such as the availability of resources, strategies for self-management, and quality information. The 41 apps and e-tools in the standard youth configuration of the InnoWell Platform, a digital tool designed to support or enhance mental health service delivery, were independently rated by two expert raters using the A-MARS. Cronbach's alpha was used to calculate the internal consistency and interclass correlation coefficients were used to calculate interrater reliability. Results The A-MARS was shown to be a reliable scale with acceptable to excellent internal consistency and moderate to excellent interrater reliability across the subscales. Given the ever-increasing number of health information technologies on the market, a protocol to identify and rate new apps and e-tools for potential clinical use is presented. Conclusions Whilst the A-MARS is a useful tool to guide health professionals as they explore available apps and e-tools for potential clinical use, the training, time, and skill required to use it effectively may be prohibitive. As such, health professionals and services are likely to benefit from including a digital navigator as part of the care team to assist in selecting and rating apps and e-tools, increasing the usability of the data, and technology troubleshooting. When selecting, evaluating and/or recommending apps and e-tools to consumers, it is important to consider: 1) the availability of explicit strategies to set, monitor and review SMART goals; 2) the accessibility of credible, user friendly information and resources from reputable sources; 3) evidence of effectiveness; and 4) interoperability with other health information technologies. Highlights • The adapted Mobile Application Rating Scale (A-MARS) is a reliable scale to evaluate the quality of health-related apps and e-tools. • Important considerations include evidence of effectiveness as well as goal setting strategies and interoperability. • The A-MARS is appropriate for use by health professionals; however, they may require support from a digital navigator. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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