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Journal of Cancer Survivorship

Published in:

01-08-2017

Achieving value in mobile health applications for cancer survivors

Authors: Sharon Watkins Davis, Ingrid Oakley-Girvan

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 4/2017

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to identify appropriate development and testing strategies for mobile health applications for cancer survivors.

Methods

In January of 2016, we conducted a PubMed search for mobile applications for cancer survivors. A total of 32 articles were selected for inclusion, including 13 review articles, and 19 articles describing an mHealth application or intervention. We assessed mobile app development and testing strategies and standards as described in these articles.

Results

We identified seven elements of patient empowerment applications for cancer survivors, strategies for application development that take advantage of smartphone capabilities, issues for consideration in developing new applications, and steps for creating user-centered mobile health applications that provide meaningful value for cancer survivors. However, few mobile health apps implemented empowerment elements, underwent rigorous design approaches, or included assessment of use in the cancer survivor population.

Conclusions

There is tremendous potential for mobile health apps to benefit cancer survivors. However, there are specific issues for consideration in developing new applications and steps for creating user-centered applications which are not routinely used. This diminishes the value for the cancer survivor population but could be easily addressed through standardized development and testing procedures.

Implications for cancer survivors

Smartphone applications have the potential to improve the cancer survivorship experience, but users should look for evidence that the application was appropriately developed and tested.

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Title: Achieving value in mobile health applications for cancer survivors
Authors: Sharon Watkins Davis
Ingrid Oakley-Girvan
Publication date: 01-08-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 4/2017
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-017-0608-1

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