Modification and Validation of an mHealth App Quality Assessment Methodology for International Use: Cross-sectional and eDelphi studies (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.36912
• Publication Date: 2022-03-02T20:48:43Z
• Authors: Fionn Woulfe; Kayode Philip Fad...; Michael O'Grady; Griphen Baxter Ch...; Mala Mawkin; Azeem Majeed; Simon Smith; Patrick Henn; John O'Donoghue
• Keywords: mHealth; App store

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Over 325,000 mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) are available to download across various app stores. Quality assurance in this field of medicine remains relatively undefined, however. Globally around 84% the population have access broadband networks. Given potential for mHealth use promotion and disease prevention, their role world-wide is ever apparent. regulations both nationally internationally will take time develop. Frameworks such as Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) Enlight Suite demonstrated interim. These frameworks require adaptation be suitable Low Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> 1) Modify Suite, an quality assessment methodology, improve its applicability internationally, 2) assess preliminary validity reliability modified tool practice. <title>METHODS</title> A two-round Delphi study involving 7 experts with varied backgrounds medicine, technology was conducted modify adapt international well content validity. The Modified suite (MES) then used by 800 healthcare professionals students a COVID-19 tracker online survey form. MES assessed using Cronbach alpha while construct evaluated confirmatory factor analysis. <title>RESULTS</title> final version has sections 32 evaluating items. Of these items, 5 were novel based on consensus inclusion panel members. satisfactory internal consistency score 0.925. sub-scales also demonstrate acceptable consistency. Similarly, analysis demonstrates positive significant loading all items modestly model fit: thus, indicating MES. <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> Despite increasing use, access, reliance apps previous studies failed identify methodology which included factors known hinder uptake LMICs. This indicates initial assessing internationally. Further assessments required LMICs extrapolate findings seek true potential.