Accepted for/Published in: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Date Submitted: Jul 21, 2023
Open Peer Review Period: Jul 21, 2023 - Sep 15, 2023
Date Accepted: Feb 11, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Evaluation of the mHealth apps available in Italy to support healthcare professionals in Antimicrobial Stewardship implementation: Research article
ABSTRACT
Background:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major challenge of the twenty-first century. Digital technologies are now an increasingly effective means of supporting optimal health care delivery and public health.
Objective:
The objective of our study was to explore the apps available to support healthcare in the fight against AMR.
Methods:
Four independent researchers conducted a systematic search of the App Store and Google Play Store using English and Italian keywords. Content in languages other than Italian or English, games, multimedia or paid content, apps, and advertisements were not considered. After downloading the apps, they were evaluated using an 86-item checklist that included expert-validated criteria aggregated in the domains of Pathogen/etiological agents, Diagnosis and therapy support, AMR, Dashboard function, Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), Notes and recordings, Network, Technical characteristics of app.
Results:
Of the 27 apps that met the inclusion criteria, most apps did not meet the desirable aspects and only two of them achieved a 36% fulfillment level. The highest scoring domains were support for diagnosis and therapy (37%) and technical characteristics of the app (23%). Lower scores were obtained for AMS (8%), pathogens/etiological agents (4%), notes and records (3%), network (2%), AMR (1%), and dashboard function (1%).
Conclusions:
None of the apps studied successfully provided the desired features and functions. To better engage of all prescribers in the fight against AMR, development of an app that meets the requirements is needed. Clinical Trial: None
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