JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Mobile health (mHealth) applications are widely used for non-communicable disease prevention and self-management. However, their effectiveness and safety are undermined by substantial variation in content quality. Existing guiding frameworks primarily focus on user interface, functionality, and intervention delivery, with limited emphasis on content creation. In this Viewpoint, we introduce SCALED, a conceptual framework designed to guide a systematic, collaborative, and evidence-based approach to mHealth educational content development. Developed and refined across three phases, the SCALED framework consists of 11 components organized into three sequential stages: planning and conceptualization, development of textual content, and finalization into delivery format. We discuss the rationale behind each component and illustrate its applicability through two mHealth use cases. The framework integrates real-world experience from the development of three mHealth applications, qualitative findings from two studies, and insights from key stakeholders. By offering a structured and replicable methodology for content development, SCALED addresses a critical gap in current mHealth frameworks and provides a practical guide to improve content veracity, with potential for adaptation across a range of medical conditions.