医疗保健专业人士(HCP)通常会建议患者使用特定的mHealth应用程序作为健康促进的一部分,疾病预防和患者自我管理。HCP下载和使用移动健康(mHealth)应用程序的数量显着增长。应用程序商店中提供的大多数mHealth应用程序都采用“星级评定”系统。这是基于用户对应用程序的反馈,但是非常主观。因此,对于HCP来说,识别被认为适合目的的优质mHealth应用程序可能是一项艰巨的任务。目前,没有统一,经过验证的mHealth应用程序评估患者安全的标准指南,可供HCP使用。ModifiedEnlightSuite(MES)是一种质量评估框架,旨在为HCP提供一种在推荐给患者之前评估mHealth应用程序的方法。MES改编自原始的EnlightSuite,通过Delphi方法在国际上使用,随后在主要由医学生组成的人群中进行初步验证。本研究旨在评估MES的适用性和有效性,由HCP,在低,中高收入国家设置。
MES将通过混合方法研究进行评估,由定性(焦点小组)和定量(调查工具)研究组成,在三个目标国家:马拉(低收入),南非(中等收入)和爱尔兰(高收入)。焦点小组将通过微软团队(微软,雷德蒙德,华盛顿,美国)和调查将使用Qualtrics(QualtricsInternational,西雅图,华盛顿,美国)。参与者将通过马拉维国家代表的帮助(Mzuzu大学)招募,南非(黑尔堡大学)和爱尔兰(科克大学)通过电子邮件邀请。重点小组的数据分析将采用专题分析。调查的数据分析将使用描述性统计数据,并使用Cronbachalpha作为MES内部一致性的指标。将通过使用Amos计算验证性因子分析来评估mHealth应用程序的结构有效性。
该研究已获得科克大学学院社会研究伦理委员会(SREC)SREC/SOM/03092021/1的伦理批准,爱尔兰,马拉研究伦理委员会(MREC),马拉伊MZUNIREC/DOR/21/59和FortHare大学的校际研究伦理委员会(IFREC)(REC-270710-028-RA)。研究结果将通过互联网传播,同行评审的期刊和会议演讲。
Healthcare professionals (HCPs) often recommend their patients to use a specific mHealth app as part of health promotion, disease prevention and patient self-management. There has been a significant growth in the number of HCPs downloading and using mobile health (mHealth) apps. Most mHealth apps that are available in app stores employ a \'star rating\' system. This is based on user feedback on an app, but is highly subjective. Thus, the identification of quality mHealth apps which are deemed fit for purpose can be a difficult task for HCPs. Currently, there is no unified, validated standard guidelines for assessment of mHealth apps for patient safety, which can be used by HCPs. The Modified Enlight Suite (MES) is a quality assessment framework designed to provide a means for HCPs to evaluate mHealth apps before they are recommended to patients. MES was adapted from the original Enlight Suite for international use through a Delphi method, followed by preliminary validation process among a population predominantly consisting of medical students. This study aims to evaluate the applicability and validity of the MES, by HCPs, in low, middle and high income country settings.
MES will be evaluated through a mixed-method study, consisting of qualitative (focus group) and quantitative (survey instruments) research, in three target countries: Malaŵi (low income), South Africa (middle income) and Ireland (high income). The focus groups will be conducted through Microsoft Teams (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, USA) and surveys will be conducted online using Qualtrics (Qualtrics International, Seattle, Washington, USA). Participants will be recruited through the help of national representatives in Malawi (Mzuzu University), South Africa (University of Fort Hare) and Ireland (University College Cork) by email invitation. Data analysis for the focus group will be by the means of thematic analysis. Data analysis for the survey will use descriptive statistics and use Cronbach alpha as an indicator of internal consistency of the MES. The construct validity of the mHealth app will be assessed by computing the confirmatory factor analysis using Amos.
The study has received ethical approval from the Social Research Ethics Committee (SREC) SREC/SOM/03092021/1 at University College Cork, Ireland, Malaŵi Research Ethics Committee (MREC), Malaŵi MZUNIREC/DOR/21/59 and Inter-Faculty Research Ethics Committee (IFREC) of University of Fort Hare (REC-2 70 710-028-RA). The results of the study will be disseminated through the internet, peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.