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Evaluation of Heart Failure Apps to Promote Self-Care: Systematic App Search

Sahr Wali1,2, Catherine Demers3,4, Hiba Shah3

  • 1Centre for Global eHealth Innovation, Techna Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.

JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth
|November 12, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Mobile health apps for heart failure (HF) self-care are not suitable for older adults. Development needs to prioritize user needs and capabilities for better usability in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Digital Health
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Heart failure (HF) affects millions globally, posing a significant economic burden.
  • Mobile health (mHealth) apps aim to support HF patient self-care at home.
  • Suitability of current mHealth apps for older adults with HF remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify available HF self-care mobile applications.
  • To evaluate these apps against criteria for optimal HF self-care in older adults.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic search of HF self-care apps on Google Play and the App Store.
  • Evaluation of 74 identified apps based on 25 key functions for older adult HF self-care.

Main Results:

  • Only 21 apps were specific to HF and self-care.
  • No app contained all 25 essential features; only 41% included weight management.
  • HF Storylines scored highest with 72% functionality.

Conclusions:

  • Current HF mHealth apps are inadequate for older adults.
  • App development must incorporate user needs and capabilities from the design phase.
  • Improved usability is crucial for effective mHealth support in this demographic.
Abstract

Keywords:
heart failuremHealthmobile phoneself-care

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