Mobile health tools for the management of chronic respiratory diseases
Abstract
Background
The market of mobile health (mHealth) technology is rapidly evolving, making new mobile technologies potentially available for healthcare systems. Patient empowerment through self-monitoring of symptoms, shared decision making with the physician, and easily accessible education are important features extending the reach of mHealth technology beyond traditional care.
Methods
Two digital distribution platforms (Apple App Store and Google Play Store) were searched for currently available mobile applications (apps) for patients with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). A new index (score ranging from 0 to 10) was developed to assess the potential of apps as a tool to empower patients through mobile technology (based on self-monitoring, personalized feedback, and patient education app features).
Results
One hundred and twelve apps were retained for analysis and could be classified in 5 categories: Asthma (n = 71), COPD (n = 15), Asthma and COPD (n = 15), Rhinitis and Asthma (n = 5), and Rhinosinusitis (n = 6). Eighty percent were developed by medical technology companies compared to 18% by medical doctors and 2% by pharmaceutical companies. Two-thirds of apps allow disease self-monitoring, whereas over half of apps provide patient feedback through graphs. Sixty percent of apps contain easily accessible patient education material. Only three percent of apps reach a score of ≥7 on the newly designed patient empowerment index.
Conclusions
A variety of apps are available for patients with CRDs of which only few were developed by or jointly with medical doctors. The majority of these apps include self-monitoring tools, but only few also provide personalized feedback, which is needed to adopt these apps into daily care.
Graphical Abstract
Over 100 mobile applications were identified that support patients with chronic respiratory diseases via self-monitoring, personalized feedback, and/or patient education. A newly designed “patient empowerment index through mobile technology” was developed to support patients and physicians in respectively choosing or recommending mobile applications for the patients’ self-management of the disease.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Jean Bousquet is the Director of the Fondation FMC VIA-LR that owns the Allergy Diary mobile application and has shares in Kyomed-Innov. Peter Hellings and Jean Bousquet are part of the executive board of EUFOREA that owns the mySinusitisCoach mobile application. Sven Seys and Benoit Pugin are employees of EUFOREA that owns the mySinusitisCoach mobile application.
