Considerations for nurses in recommending mHealth apps for people living with chronic conditions: A qualitative study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mobile Health (mHealth) applications are innovative tools that have contributed to healthcare digital transformation. While healthcare professionals positively perceive the role of mHealth in improving patients' health outcomes, embedding mHealth app recommendations into routine clinical practice is still in its infancy. There is a limited understanding of the factors nurses consider when recommending mHealth apps. AIM: This paper explores the factors affecting the recommendation of mHealth apps by nurses caring for people living with or at risk of chronic conditions. DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study within a concurrent mixed methods project. METHODS: Semi-structured videoconference interviews were conducted with 13 nurses. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis. The COREQ checklist guided reporting. RESULTS: Two main themes were identified: (1) clinical considerations and (2) technical considerations. Clinical considerations revealed how credibility and trustworthiness, accessibility, and personalisation impacted recommendations around mHealth apps. Conversely, technical considerations identified factors related to the design, functionalities, and implementation of mHealth apps, namely, data security and privacy, usability, app overload and interoperability. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the factors that influence nurses' recommendations of mHealth apps is essential to inform future integration into chronic disease management. Considerations include ensuring patients have reliable access, customising apps to meet users' preferences and needs, and linking them with electronic medical records. mHealth apps should have a user-friendly interface and provide up-to-date, evidence-based content. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Factors nurses consider when recommending mHealth apps can affect how they integrate them into clinical practice. Understanding these factors can inform strategies to enhance nurses' integration of mHealth apps in chronic condition management.