JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

mHealth is increasingly used to support public health practice, as they have positive benefits such as enhancing self-efficacy, as well as facilitating chronic disease management. Yet relatively few studies have explored the use of mHealth applications among nurses despite their important role in caring for patients with and at risk of chronic conditions

Objective:

To explore nurses’ use of mobile health applications (mHealth apps) to support adults with or at risk of chronic conditions and understand the factors that influence technology adoption

Methods:

An online cross-sectional survey was conducted between September 2022 and January 2023. The survey was shared via social media and professional nursing organizations to Australian nurses caring for adults with or at risk of chronic conditions.

Results:

One hundred and fifty-eight responses were included in the analysis. More than a third of respondents (68.4%) reported that they personally used at least one mHealth app. Over half (52.5- 68.4%) reported they use mHealth apps at least a few times a month for clinical purposes. Logistic regression demonstrated that performance expectancy (p=0.04), facilitating condition (p=0.05) and personal use of mHealth apps (p=0.05) were significantly associated with mHealth app recommendation. In contrast, effort expectancy (p=0.086) and social influence (p=0.461) did not have a significant influence (p>0.05) on whether respondents recommended mHealth apps to patients. The inability to identify the quality of mHealth apps and the lack of access to mobile devices/internet were the most common barriers for mHealth app recommendation.

Conclusions:

While nurses use mHealth apps personally, there is potential to increase their clinical application. Given the challenges reported in appraising and assessing mHealth apps, app regulation and upskilling nurses will help to integrate mHealth apps into usual patient care.