mHealth App Prescription in Australian General Practice: Pre-Post Study (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Evidence of effectiveness of mobile health (mHealth) apps as well as their usability as non-drug interventions in primary care are emerging around the globe. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the feasibility of mHealth app prescription by general practitioners (GPs) and to evaluate the effectiveness of an implementation intervention to increase app prescription. METHODS A single-group, before-and-after study was conducted in Australian general practice. GPs were given prescription pads for 6 mHealth apps and reported the number of prescriptions dispensed for 4 months. After the reporting of month 2, a 2-minute video of one of the apps was randomly selected and sent to each GP. Data were collected through a prestudy questionnaire, monthly electronic reporting, and end-of-study interviews. The primary outcome was the number of app prescriptions (total, monthly, per GP, and per GP per fortnight). Secondary outcomes included confidence in prescribing apps (0-5 scale), the impact of the intervention video on subsequent prescription numbers, and acceptability of the interventions. RESULTS Of 40 GPs recruited, 39 commenced, and 36 completed the study. In total, 1324 app prescriptions were dispensed over 4 months. The median number of apps prescribed per GP was 30 (range 6-111 apps). The median number of apps prescribed per GP per fortnight increased from the pre-study level of 1.7 to 4.1. Confidence about prescribing apps doubled from a mean of 2 (not so confident) to 4 (very confident). App videos did not affect subsequent prescription rates substantially. Post-study interviews revealed that the intervention was highly acceptable. CONCLUSIONS mHealth app prescription in general practice is feasible, and our implementation intervention was effective in increasing app prescription. GPs need more tailored education and training on the value of mHealth apps and knowledge of prescribable apps to be able to successfully change their prescribing habits to include apps. The future of sustainable and scalable app prescription requires a trustworthy electronic app repository of prescribable mHealth apps for GPs.

Applications mobiles et autogestion des douleurs chroniques

“…Une étude qualitative a évalué les facteurs influençant la prescription d'applications de santé effectuée par des généralistes. 27 Les barrières évoquées étaient une différence générationnelle entre médecins et patients dans l'acceptation du digital, le manque de connaissances quant aux applications dignes de confiance et aux sources fiables pour y accéder, le temps imparti en consultation pour en discuter et montrer aux patients comment les utiliser, les préoccupations quant à la confidentialité, la sécurité et la fiabilité des applications de santé.…”