What Apps are in your Pocket? The Value of mHealth Apps on the Front Lines of Community Health

Developers have created thousands of medical and health-related mobile apps. Some will last the test of time and scientific evidence will show they have value on the front lines of care. However, many apps are already providing value today do to their low cost and mobility. A community health worker with a smart phone or other mobile device can now more easily go to people to provide care versus requiring people to go to see them in a clinic. The purpose of this research is simply to identify valuable apps. The methods is to screen apps based on category, volumes of downloads, ratings, originator source, cost, and experimentation. Preliminary results of apps available today at no or very low cost include: 1) display an eye chart to determine need for eyeglasses, 2) test basic hearing, 3) check vital signs, blood pressure, 4) measure blood glucose, and pulmonary functions, 5) track labor contractions, fetal heart rate, 6) check health reference libraries, and 7) video conference with colleagues and physicians for help. Additionally, portable presentation technologies such as a smart phone and a mini projector support health education videos and presentations on the go. With so many new options and opportunities, new methodologies for app review are required to help community health workers, physicians, and others to best decide what apps should be in their pocket. After providing an initial overview of apps and checklist for selecting mHealth apps, this session will break into a facilitated roundtable discussion. Discussion questions include: What apps are the most valuable in the field not yet mentioned? Can some field apps help people decide whether to make the trip to a health care facility? What is the right balance between market-driven and evidenced-based approaches? The session concludes by summarizing findings including audience perspectives and expertise.