Influences on the Uptake of Health and Well-being Apps and Curated App Portals: Think-Aloud and Interview Study

Abstract

Background Health and well-being smartphone apps can provide a cost-effective solution to addressing unhealthy behaviors. The selection of these apps tends to occur in commercial app stores, where thousands of health apps are available. Their uptake is often influenced by popularity indicators. However, these indicators are not necessarily associated with app effectiveness or evidence-based content. Alternative routes to app selection are increasingly available, such as via curated app portals, but little is known about people’s experiences of them. Objective The aim of this study is to explore how people select health apps on the internet and their views on curated app portals. Methods A total of 18 UK-based adults were recruited through social media and asked during an in-person meeting to verbalize their thoughts while searching for a health or well-being app on the internet on a platform of their choice. The search was then repeated on 2 curated health app portals: the National Health Service Apps Library and the Public Health England One You App portal. This was followed by semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using framework analysis, informed by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior model and the Theoretical Domains Framework. Results Searching for health and well-being apps on the internet was described as a minefield . App uptake appeared to be influenced by participants’ capabilities such as app literacy skills and health and app awareness, and opportunities including the availability of apps, app esthetics, the price of an app, and social influences. Motivation factors that seemed to affect the uptake were perceived competence, time efficiency, perceived utility and accuracy of an app, transparency about data protection, commitment and social identity, and a wide range of emotions. Social influences and the perceived utility of an app were highlighted as particularly important. Participants were not previously aware of curated portals but found the concept appealing. Curated health app portals appeared to engender trust and alleviate data protection concerns. Although apps listed on these were perceived as more trustworthy, their presentation was considered disappointing. This disappointment seemed to stem from the functionality of the portals, lack of user guidance, and lack of tailored content to an individual’s needs. Conclusions The uptake of health and well-being apps appears to be primarily affected by social influences and the perceived utility of an app. App uptake via curated health app portals perceived as credible may mitigate concerns related to data protection and accuracy, but their implementation must better meet user needs and expectations.

Understanding Uptake of Digital Health Products: Methodology Tutorial for a Discrete Choice Experiment Using the Bayesian Efficient Design

“…Our DCE was based on a comprehensive systematic review investigating factors influencing the uptake and engagement with health and well-being smartphone apps [ 28 ] and a qualitative research component that consisted of a think-aloud and interview study to examine further the previously identified factors or attributes [ 29 ]. The importance of qualitative research lies in ensuring inclusion of attributes that are relevant to most participants [ 25 ].…”

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Health App Platform Providing Individuals With a Budget to Purchase Preselected Apps to Work on Their Health and Well-Being: Quantitative Evaluation Study

“…A health app platform is meant to guide individuals to suitable health apps; however, in current initiatives, this process is not sufficiently supported [ 32 , 33 ]. Facilitating the selection process for individuals might be the key to higher app downloads.…”

A Health App Platform Providing a Budget to Purchase Preselected Apps as an Innovative Way to Support Public Health: Qualitative Study With End Users and Other Stakeholders

“…To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a health app platform (ie, a platform providing reliable preselected health apps with a personal health budget of €100 (US $107.35) with end user and other stakeholder experiences. However, participants in the study of Szinay et al [ 24 ] also found the concept of a curated health app portal appealing and indicated such a portal can alleviate privacy concerns and increase trust. Another health app platform has been studied, Intellicare, which was aimed at the treatment of anxiety and depression [ 25 - 27 ].…”