ArticleJMIR mHealth and uHealth2024
Evidence of How Physicians and Their Patients Adopt mHealth Apps in Germany: Exploratory Qualitative Study.
Article in JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
18 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Understanding Adherence to Digital Health Technologies: Systematic Review of Predictive Factors.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Pooled it
- Clinical Outcomes of a Digital Companion in Periodontal Care: A Randomised Controlled Trial.Journal of clinical periodontology · 2026Trial
- Selection of Outcomes and Measurement Methods in Clinical Trials for Digital Therapeutics: Qualitative Analysis.JMIR formative research · 2026Article
- Advancing foundational models in digital health technology adoption: A systematic literature review of multidisciplinary factors.PLOS digital health · 2026Article
- Patients' mHealth Apps Usage and Data Privacy, Security, and Confidentiality Concerns: Exploratory Study.JMIR formative research · 2026Article
- Patient and Clinician Attitudes Toward Mobile Health Apps: Qualitative Study.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2026Article
- Exploring general practitioners' perspectives on the use and benefits of digital health applications for mental disorders in primary care: a mixed-methods study.BMC health services research · 2026Article
- Perspectives on digital therapeutic prescribing: a qualitative study among German psychological psychotherapists.Frontiers in digital health · 2026Article
- eHealth literacy in older patients with cardiovascular disease: latent profile analysis and associated factors.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Prescribing Experiences, Potentials, and Challenges of Digital Health Applications in the Field of Hormones and Metabolism: Cross-Sectional Survey Study of Health Care Providers in Germany.JMIR formative research · 2025Article
- Genie in the bottle? a qualitative study of general practitioners' perspectives and information needs concerning digital mental health applications in Germany.BMC primary care · 2025Article
- Interpretable Machine Learning Models for Analyzing Determinants Affecting the Use of mHealth Apps Among Family Caregivers of Patients With Stroke in Chinese Communities: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2025Article
- Digital Health Applications (DiGA) for Treating Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Protocol for a Systematic Health App Review and Systematic Review of Published Evidence.JMIR research protocols · 2025Article
- Insights Into How mHealth Applications Could Be Introduced Into Standard Hypertension Care in Germany: Qualitative Study With German Cardiologists and General Practitioners.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2025Article
- Medical experiences of patients with breast cancer using smart hospital apps: A qualitative study.Heliyon · 2025Review
- A transparent and standardized performance measurement platform is needed for on-prescription digital health apps to enable ongoing performance monitoring.PLOS digital health · 2024Review
- Using Digital Media to Improve Adolescent Resilience and Prevent Mental Health Problems: Protocol for a Scoping Review.JMIR research protocols · 2024Article
- Digital Health Applications (DiGAs) on a Fast Track: Insights From a Data-Driven Analysis of Prescribable Digital Therapeutics in Germany From 2020 to Mid-2024.Journal of medical Internet research · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe enactment of the "Act to Improve Healthcare Provision through Digitalisation and Innovation " (Digital Healthcare Act; Digitale-Versorgung-Gesetz [DVG]) in Germany has introduced a paradigm shift in medical practice, allowing physicians to prescribe mobile health (mHealth) apps alongside traditional medications. This transformation imposes a dual responsibility on physicians to acquaint themselves with qualifying apps and align them with patient diagnoses, while requiring patients to adhere to the prescribed app use, similar to pharmaceutical adherence. This transition, particularly challenging for older generations who are less skilled with technology, underscores a significant evolution in Germany's medical landscape.
objectiveThis study aims to investigate physicians' responses to this novel treatment option, their strategies for adapting to this form of prescription, and the willingness of patients to adhere to prescribed mHealth apps.
methodsUsing an exploratory qualitative study design, we conducted semistructured interviews with 28 physicians and 30 potential patients aged 50 years and older from August 2020 to June 2021.
resultsThe findings reveal several factors influencing the adoption of mHealth apps, prompting a nuanced understanding of adoption research. Notably, both physicians and patients demonstrated a lack of information regarding mHealth apps and their positive health impacts, contributing to a deficiency in trust. Physicians' self-perceived digital competence and their evaluation of patients' digital proficiency emerge as pivotal factors influencing the prescription of mHealth apps.
conclusionsOur study provides comprehensive insights into the prescription process and the fundamental factors shaping the adoption of mHealth apps in Germany. The identified information gaps on both the physicians' and patients' sides contribute to a trust deficit and hindered digital competence. This research advances the understanding of adoption dynamics regarding digital health technologies and highlights crucial considerations for the successful integration of digital health apps into medical practice.
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