JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The accessibility and popularity of mHealth apps make them a potential digital age non-drug intervention. When proven effective they could be prescribed in general practice.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore the feasibility of app prescription by general practitioners (GPs) and to evaluate the effectiveness of an implementation intervention to increase app prescription.

Methods:

We used a single group before-and-after design. The intervention consisted of prescription pads for 6 health apps and 2-minute videos demonstrating their content and features. GPs reported the numbers of apps prescribed at each month for 4 months. Data were collected through a pre-study questionnaire, monthly electronic reporting of prescriptions, and end-of-study interviews. The primary outcome was the number of app prescriptions (total, monthly, per GP per week). Secondary outcomes included confidence in prescribing apps (0-5 scale), the impact of intervention video on prescription numbers, and acceptability of the interventions.

Results:

Of 40 GPs recruited, 36 completed the study (median age 40, years in practice 8·5, work 4ds/wk). In total, 1324 app prescriptions were dispensed over 4 months. The median number of apps prescribed per GP was 30 [range 6-111], and per GP/week a mean of 8·5. Confidence about prescribing apps doubled from a mean of 2 (not so confident) to 4 (very confident). App videos did not affect subsequent prescription rates substantially. Post-study interviews revealed that the intervention was highly acceptable and the most useful feature of the prescription pads was the visual cue aspect.

Conclusions:

The health app prescription in general practice is feasible. Our implementation intervention was effective in increasing app prescription. Education, training, and information to increase knowledge of prescribable apps, as well as an app repository for GPs are important to facilitate the scalability and sustainability of app prescription.