Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37773608›Full record

ArticleJMIR formative research2023

A Health App Platform Providing a Budget to Purchase Preselected Apps as an Innovative Way to Support Public Health: Qualitative Study With End Users and Other Stakeholders.

Romy Fleur Willemsen, Eline Meijer, Liselot Nicoline van den Berg, Luuk van der Burg, Niels Henrik Chavannes, Jiska Joelle Aardoom

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR formative research, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Romy Fleur WillemsenDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2038-8175
Eline MeijerDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7078-5067
Liselot Nicoline van den BergDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9957-1273
Luuk van der BurgDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2343-3898
Niels Henrik ChavannesDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8607-9199
Jiska Joelle AardoomDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4023-6814

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundeHealth has the potential to improve health outcomes. However, this potential is largely untapped. Individuals face an overload of apps and have difficulties choosing suitable apps for themselves. In the FitKnip experiment, individuals were given access to a health app platform, where they could purchase reliable preselected health apps with a personal budget of €100 (US $107.35). By conducting a prospective study, we aimed to scientifically evaluate the FitKnip experiment as an innovative way to improve population health.

objectiveThe aim of the experiment was to scientifically evaluate the FitKnip experiment as an innovative way to improve population health. More specifically, we conducted an in-depth qualitative evaluation of the concept and acceptability of FitKnip, its perceived impact on health empowerment, as well as the roles of stakeholders for the future implementation of a health app platform through focus group interviews.

methodsThis study followed a phenomenological research design and included 7 focus group interviews with end users and 1 with stakeholders, held between July and December 2020. End users were recruited through various institutions in the Netherlands, for example, insurance companies and local governments. All focus groups were semistructured using interview guides and were held via videoconferencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic measures. Each participant received access to a health app platform where they were enabled to purchase reliable, preselected health apps with a budget of €100 (US $107.35). The budget was valid for the entire research period. The health app platform offered 38 apps. A third party, a health care coalition, selected the apps to be included in FitKnip. The analyses were conducted according to the principles of the Framework Method.

resultsA priori formulated themes were concept, acceptability, health empowerment, and outcomes, and the roles of stakeholders for the future implementation of a health app platform. Both end users (n=31) and stakeholders (n=5) were enthusiastic about the concept of a health app platform. End users indicated missing apps regarding physical health and lifestyle and needing more guidance toward suitable apps. End users saw health empowerment as a precondition to using a health app platform and achieving health outcomes depending on the purchased mobile apps. End users and stakeholders identified potential providers and financing parties of FitKnip. Stakeholders recommended the establishment of a reputable national or international quality guidelines or certification for health and wellbeing apps, that can demonstrate the quality and reliability of mobile health applications.

conclusionsThis study showed the need for a personalized and flexible platform. Next to this, a deeper understanding of the roles of stakeholders in such initiatives is needed especially on financing and reimbursement of health promotion and digital health services. A personalized, flexible health app platform is a promising initiative to support individuals in their health.

Indexed as

acceptabilityappapp evaluationapplicationapplicationsappsdigital healtheHealthevaluateevaluationfeasibilityfocus groupfocus groupsFramework Methodhealth app platformhealth appshealth platformhealth promotionmHealthmobile healthmobile phoneplatformpreventionpublic health

Identifiers

PMID37773608
PMCPMC10576224

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.