Ethical guidelines for mobile app development within health and mental health fields.

Abstract

Currently there are no ethical guidelines for mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) despite the rapid innovation and use of mobile technologies in the health care field. As such, we address existing policies from the federal government, development guidelines from the mobile industry, and ethical guidelines from the American Psychological Association that apply to the development of mHealth apps intended for psychological use. Privacy and confidentiality are of primary concerns when developing and using mHealth apps for the purpose of research, assessment, and ongoing therapy. Specifically, the use of app notifications and widgets can put app user's privacy at risk unless used properly. Methods in which app developers and providers can safeguard against violations of privacy and confidentiality are examined. In addition, special considerations are made for the use of apps with inpatient and rural populations and for those with cognitive impairments. This discussion serves to inform those who develop and utilize mHealth apps of the ethical guidelines that should be followed when creating and using such apps.

Using Mobile Phone Sensor Technology for Mental Health Research: Integrated Analysis to Identify Hidden Challenges and Potential Solutions

“…Mental health data are highly sensitive because of the potential negative implications of unwanted disclosure [ 34 ]; therefore, uncertainty about whether a service is confidential can be a barrier to care [ 35 ]. Indeed, data privacy and confidentiality are major concerns for the users of mental health apps [ 36 , 37 ], but no consensus has yet been reached on ethical considerations that need to be addressed for the collection of passive sensor data. Moreover, user perceptions of security and privacy may differ; for example, Android and iOS users differ in characteristics such as age and gender [ 38 ] and also in their awareness about security and privacy risks of apps [ 39 ].…”

Patient’s Intention to Use Mobile Health App

“…Most importantly, the use of the mobile health app allows the user to access his or her desired health-related functions without having to travel long distances. In summary, the mobile health app has facilitated the medical and the health treatment process in a very accessible and cost-effective manner (Jones and Moffitt, 2016).…”

Telepsychiatry in actual practice - State of the art according to literature

“…Hilty O'Reilly R 34 , Ruskin PE 36 and De Las Cuevas 37 respectively have shown in several randomized studies that there was not a significant difference in the quality of treatment between the psychiatric patients treated by face-to-face treatment comparing to treatment with telepsychiatry. Mobile health (mHealth) facilitate mental health service delivery and provide great opportunity for the public [38][39][40][41] . The satisfaction of all the patients was assessed by responding on SCL-90 (Symptom Checklist Revised) global distress indexes and Clinical Global impressions (CGI) Scale providing psychotherapy by videoconference.…”