Background. In the growing area of e-Health for hearing healthcare (HHC), the emerging m-Health (mobile Health) branch is extremely promising. In particular, the development of tablet- or smartphone apps for HHC is rapid. To date, a systematic analysis of the current scenario of apps for HHC is lacking. The aim of this study was to take a multifaceted picture of the available apps for HHC by using a recently developed descriptive model (The ALFA4Hearing model, At-a-glance Labelling for Features of Apps for Hearing healthcare) to identify their main features and to highlight emerging trends and challenges, as well as potential opportunities for improvements. Materials and Methods. We downloaded and assessed 137 apps for HHC (iOS and Android). We characterized apps by using the ALFA4Hearing model, which includes 29 descriptive features, grouped into five main components: (1) Promoters, (2) Services, (3) Implementation, (4) Users, (5) Descriptive information. We analysed the distribution of the 29 features in our sample of apps as well as in specific subsets of apps. Results. We observed a large variety of services in our sample of apps, covering the whole patient journey from prevention to screening and diagnosis, therapy, and rehabilitation. Our analysis showed interesting trends and challenges in each model component. For example, in the component (1) Promoters, our results suggested that there is ample room for a greater involvement of HHC providers, government services, and scientific institutions, for improved evidence base. In the component (2) Services, our results suggested promising opportunities for app inventors, e.g., the development of apps that include more than one service for better efficacy throughout the patient journey. Similarly, we observed relevant findings in the components (3) Implementation, (4) Users, and (5) Descriptive information. Conclusions. This study provided a multifaceted picture of the current market of apps for HHC. The analysis of our sample of apps by means of the ALFA4Hearing model highlighted interesting trends and challenges, suggesting many potential opportunities for developers, HHC professionals, and stakeholders at large that could drive research, professional training, clinical use of apps, as well as technical developments towards the common goal to improve the patients' outcomes and quality of life. Grant: National Project "PNR-CNR Aging Program 2012-2014".
Analysis of trends, challenges, and opportunities in the field of mobile apps for hearing healthcare by using the ALFA4Hearing (At-a-glance Labelling for Features of Apps for Hearing healthcare) model
Paglialonga A;Tognola G
2017
Abstract
Background. In the growing area of e-Health for hearing healthcare (HHC), the emerging m-Health (mobile Health) branch is extremely promising. In particular, the development of tablet- or smartphone apps for HHC is rapid. To date, a systematic analysis of the current scenario of apps for HHC is lacking. The aim of this study was to take a multifaceted picture of the available apps for HHC by using a recently developed descriptive model (The ALFA4Hearing model, At-a-glance Labelling for Features of Apps for Hearing healthcare) to identify their main features and to highlight emerging trends and challenges, as well as potential opportunities for improvements. Materials and Methods. We downloaded and assessed 137 apps for HHC (iOS and Android). We characterized apps by using the ALFA4Hearing model, which includes 29 descriptive features, grouped into five main components: (1) Promoters, (2) Services, (3) Implementation, (4) Users, (5) Descriptive information. We analysed the distribution of the 29 features in our sample of apps as well as in specific subsets of apps. Results. We observed a large variety of services in our sample of apps, covering the whole patient journey from prevention to screening and diagnosis, therapy, and rehabilitation. Our analysis showed interesting trends and challenges in each model component. For example, in the component (1) Promoters, our results suggested that there is ample room for a greater involvement of HHC providers, government services, and scientific institutions, for improved evidence base. In the component (2) Services, our results suggested promising opportunities for app inventors, e.g., the development of apps that include more than one service for better efficacy throughout the patient journey. Similarly, we observed relevant findings in the components (3) Implementation, (4) Users, and (5) Descriptive information. Conclusions. This study provided a multifaceted picture of the current market of apps for HHC. The analysis of our sample of apps by means of the ALFA4Hearing model highlighted interesting trends and challenges, suggesting many potential opportunities for developers, HHC professionals, and stakeholders at large that could drive research, professional training, clinical use of apps, as well as technical developments towards the common goal to improve the patients' outcomes and quality of life. Grant: National Project "PNR-CNR Aging Program 2012-2014".I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
