7: Free apps Flashcards
What are the key characteristics and features of native apps?
- Downloaded from an app store
- Developed in specific programming language for different platforms
- Not cross-platform compatible
- Access device features and sensors
- Good hardware and processing speed
- Good offline access
What are the key characteristics and features of progressive web apps (PWA)
- Mobile responsive web page
- Accessed via browser, no need to download from app store
- Cheaper and quicker to develop
- Better cross-platform compatibility
- Some native features may be inaccessible or limited
What are the key characteristics and features of hybrid apps
- Combination of native apps and PWAs
- Native app shell with PWA content and features
What are the key considerations when determining the most suitable app type for a digital health project
- Device features
- Offline functioning
- Discoverability
- Speed and usability
- Installation and device compatibility
- Maintenance
- Platform independence
- Content restrictions, approval process, and fees
- Development cost
What are the key differences between health apps and medical apps?
Health apps refer to general wellness apps
Medical apps may be used for decision-making, diagnosis, self-management, etc.
Example health app: Calm Harm
Example medical app: Belong - Beating Cancer Together
What are the potential benefits of mobile apps and devices for patients?
- Access to health information and data
- Communication with healthcare providers
- Access to services and online consultations
- Capture and share health data
- Manage and monitor own condition
- Support rehabilitation and medication adherence
- Encourage healthy lifestyles and behaviors
What are some key issues to consider when developing health or medical apps
- Development cost and specialized skills
- Compatibility across operating systems
- Digital divide and access in remote communities
- Clinical quality and safety
- Interoperability with other healthcare systems
- Usability, accessibility, and technical standards
- Security, privacy, and data protection
- Legal and regulatory requirements
What are the benefits of free apps
- No financial barriers for individuals
- Avoidance of providing payment details
- Development and maintenance cost savings for organizations
- Public awareness and existing user base
What are some of the challenges when evaluating, recommending, or using free apps for health and wellbeing
Clinical quality issues:
= Inaccurate information
= Fundamental errors and flaws
= Insufficient health professional input
= Low levels of adherence
Usability and technical factors:
=Accessibility for patients (visual, auditory, motor)
=Cognitive accessibility (literacy, health and digital literacies)
= Legal and technical standards (e.g., Equality Act 2010, ISO/TS)
= Platform compatibility
= Reliability
Regulations:
= MHRA medical device regulations
= Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration
Security, privacy, and data protection:
= UK GDPR and online identifiers
= Security measures to protect personal data
What regulations apply to medical apps in the UK
Encryption:
- Method to convert information into secret code
- Importance for security and privacy
- Used for data in transit and data at rest
Indicators of encrypted data in transit:
- “https” and padlock symbol
- Absence of padlock and use of “http” indicate lack of encryption
Masking vs. encryption:
-Password masking hides characters, but it’s not encryption
Give some examples of findings from reviews of health and medical apps. What issues have been identified
Skin Scan app:
- Identified only 10% of high-risk melanomas correctly
- Demonstrates accuracy issues
Other potential issues:
- Inadequate user experience
- Privacy breaches
- Data security vulnerabilities
- Lack of evidence-based information
Discuss and give examples of some ethical considerations with respect to security and privacy in the context of digital health systems.
Informed consent and user control over data:
- Users should have clear information and choices regarding data collection and usage.
Avoiding data misuse and unauthorized access:
- Implement security measures to protect sensitive health data from breaches or unauthorized use.
Ensuring data anonymization and de-identification:
- Use techniques to remove personally identifiable information when possible.
Addressing potential biases and discrimination:
- Prevent unfair treatment or exclusion based on sensitive health data.
Transparency and accountability:
- Clearly communicate privacy practices and be accountable for data handling.
