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Selecting Health Related Apps

In today’s busy world, using a mobile device to track and manage health information is becoming more and more popular. However, not all apps are created equal. Here are four questions to ask when choosing health related mobile apps to ensure you are getting a reliable and effective app:
                
1. Who created the app and why?
There are many app developers including the government, universities, health organizations, hospitals and commercial business. It is important to know why the app was developed in order to decide if it contains credible information. For example, a commercial business may give you helpful information, but keep in mind that they may also be trying to sell you a product and might not give you all the facts. However, a health organization or government agency can typically be relied on to provide reliable, factual information.
           
2. Does the app have information based on facts from reliable sources?
The developer of the app should have the proper credentials, expertise, or training to provide factual and credible information. Sources should be clearly identified and based on research and evidence, not opinions.
           
3. Is the information in the app current?
Because new advances are continuing to be made every day, it is important that the app is up to date with the newest research and information. Look at when the app was published and when it was last updated. Apps should be updated at least annually with the latest information.
          
 4. Does the app have positive reviews?
Reading other user’s reviews of the app can help you decide if it will work for you. Reviews can give you insight into the app’s features and effectiveness.  Looking at the number of times an app has been downloaded can also be a clue to its popularity and effectiveness.

Five Recommended Apps:

1. iTriage: allows users to research health information, symptoms and locate a physician or hospital near them.

2. Diabetes App: users can track their food intake, medications, activity, glucose readings, and weight. This information can be used to spot trends and manage diabetes and can be shared with a healthcare provider.

3. T2 Mood Tracker: users can track emotions over time in order to share with their healthcare provider or to spot trends. The app comes with scales on different topics including anxiety, depression, general well-being, head injury, post-traumatic stress, and stress.

4. CancerCare: made specifically for parents and caregivers of children with cancer, this app helps users manage appointments, medication schedules, and track patient moods, side effects, and blood counts. Users can also create reports to see trends.

5. First Aid – American Red Cross: provides users with step-by-step instructions for first aid. The app also provides safety tips and videos. The content is preloaded which means you will have access to the information at any time, no internet connection necessary.

Reference: Choose wisely: selecting mobile health apps. (n.d.) Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center. Retrieved from http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/Documents/program-and-policy-support/HPW-000051-Choose-Wisely-Selecting-Mobile-Health-Apps_v2.pdf

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