JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

There is a growing recognition of health apps' role in addressing current healthcare system challenges. Over 350,000 health apps are currently available in app stores. Yet, their quality and the robustness of the underlying scientific evidence are known to differ significantly. However, app stores provide nearly no decision support, making it difficult for people to choose the right app. Research about whose advice for health apps European residents use and trust and if they think health apps should be reviewed by the government and rated is scarce.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore whose recommendations about health apps European residents use and trust and if they think the government should review and rate health apps to help them choose.

Methods:

An explorative quantitative study using a tailored online survey was conducted between December 7, 2022, and February 16, 2023. The survey targeted residents from the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. It was created in lay language and translated into 26 languages. Descriptive statistics were used to describe types of used health apps, used and trusted sources of recommendation, and respondents' thoughts on the government reviewing and rating health apps. Subgroup analyses were conducted using chi-square and Fisher’s independent test. One open-ended question was included to elicit respondents' final thoughts and comments; a thematic analysis was performed.

Results:

The survey was completed by 1228 respondents from 33 European countries; in total, 90% used one or more health apps. COVID-19 apps and activity apps were most frequently used, were the most frequently used (62%, 60%). Disease management, diagnostic, and treatment apps were the least used. Recommendations from family and friends, healthcare professionals, and health authorities were relatively often used (35.3%, 33.6%, and 29.2%). While the recommendations for health apps from healthcare professionals (80%), pharmacists (61%), and a government or health authority (59.9%) were most trusted. In total, 86% of respondents thought the government should review and rate health apps or pay another organization to do so.

Conclusions:

Our survey results indicate that health apps are widely used. Participants trust a healthcare professional to give them a recommendation for health apps. Recommendations for health apps from trusted sources were underutilized, while untrusted sources were used. The results also showed clear support for governments reviewing and rating health apps or commissioning a third party to do so to help their populations choose high-quality ones and empower health professionals to recommend health apps to their patients.