Smartphone apps and the nutrition care process: Current perspectives and future considerations

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Digital Health
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Smartphone applications (apps) are increasingly prevalent in healthcare.
• Dietitians require practical guidance on integrating these tools into patient care.
• Mobile health (mHealth) offers potential to enhance nutrition counseling and education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide dietitians with practical guidance on using smartphone applications (apps) within the nutrition care process (NCP).
• To optimize patient education and counseling through the integration of mHealth tools.
• To explore the implementation of apps across the four stages of the NCP.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search of mHealth apps was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar.
• The study discusses the practical application and integration of apps by dietitians within the NCP framework.
• A novel 'Mobile Nutrition Care Process Grid' framework is presented for best-practice guidance.

Main Results:

• Nutrition apps can streamline patient dietary record analysis, converting them into nutrient components.
• Apps facilitate enhanced patient education on nutrition skills and improve adherence to behavior change strategies.
• Real-time patient progress monitoring and evaluation via apps improve patient-provider communication.
• The 'Mobile Nutrition Care Process Grid' offers a structured approach for app integration.

Conclusions:

• Integrating apps into dietetic practice can significantly improve the efficiency and quality of nutrition care.
• mHealth apps serve as valuable adjuncts to traditional dietetic counseling, enhancing patient support.
• Apps should complement, not replace, the essential expertise, social support, and accountability provided by dietitians.