Apps y Medicina: una visión global y la situación chilena

Abstract

An appraisal of healthcare mobile applicationsMobile applications (Apps) may become effective aids in health care. Health Apps could reduce barriers such as access and costs and could be used to monitor symptoms, behaviors and even treatments. There is more evidence of their usefulness in nutrition, cardiovascular and mental health. Despite this, its current use is predominantly for information purposes. Healthcare App quality evaluation should consider both clinical and technological aspects since the evidence on its clinical effectiveness is still incipient and they have associated risks. In Chile, the use of mobile technology and Apps is increasing, but there are no regulations for their use. There are few national institutions oriented to the creation and development of Apps for healthcare, highlighting the Digital Transformation Committee, part of the Corporation for the Promotion of Production (CORFO) and the National Center for Health Information Systems (CENS). General recommendations for healthcare App development and use have been established. In this process, it would be beneficial to include actors involved in care. Given the progress of healthcare Apps worldwide and nationally, it is important that health professionals develop digital skills to maximize the potential benefit of these technologies.

A Chilean survey of perinatal women and health care professionals’ views towards perinatal apps

“…In Chile, there is no legislation on the development and implementation of health apps, nor a government entity dedicated to regulating this ( 46 ). However, the National Center for Health Information Systems (CENS) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting the development of health-related technologies in the country ( 46 ). Among other functions, they provide certification to the developments that meet specific quality criteria ( 47 ).…”

“…Regarding this matter, Boulos et al (44) [2014] and Akbar et al (45) [2020] made several recommendations: (I) ensuring app content is based on the available evidence, adequately referenced, and kept up to date, (II) involving subject matter experts and consumers in app development, (III) conducting usability tests so that users can provide insights about app functionality and medical reliability, (IV) studying the app for its efficacy and safety, (V) having a competent and qualified entity in the country or region that regulates and monitors health apps to address safety concerns, especially if the app works as a medical device (e.g., interpreting data). In Chile, there is no legislation on the development and implementation of health apps, nor a government entity dedicated to regulating this (46). However, the National Center for Health Information Systems (CENS) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting the development of health-related technologies in the country (46).…”

Telemedicina internacional y sus limitaciones tecnológicas en la atención de pacientes en procedimientos médicos virtuales de organismos de salud pública 2022

“…Como indica Tala et al (2022) el uso de dispositivos móviles se ha incrementado rápidamente en los últimos años debido a la fácil portabilidad lo que ha llevado que se utilice la tecnología móvil en diferentes ámbitos siendo uno de ellos la salud, como se muestra en la tecnología utilizada en los casos de estudio recopilados con el porcentaje mayor para los aplicativos móviles debido a que es posible llevarlos a cualquier lado con uno mismo pudiendo ser monitoreados y recopilar información personal de nuestra salud.…”