“This App Just Gets Me”: Assessing the Quality, Features and User Reviews of Menopause Smartphone Apps

IF 0.4 Q4 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet Pub Date : 2023-04-03 DOI:10.1080/15398285.2023.2204287

Elizabeth Sillence, C. Hardy, Emma Kemp

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Abstract

Abstract Mobile health (mHealth) apps are becoming a popular digital resource and in the last few years menopause smartphone apps have become more popular. While these apps often contain little healthcare professional (HCP) input or evidence-based information less is known about the specific features of the apps and whether users find the apps helpful in relation to their menopause experience. We conducted a quality, feature and written review analysis of 18 menopause apps. We assessed the overall quality of the apps using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MAR), identified features including tracking, data visualization and community elements and undertook a thematic analysis of the written reviews. The analysis showed that app quality was variable and features ranged from simple trackers to community elements, audio guides and personalized content. Reviews of apps were overwhelmingly positive in nature and the thematic analysis highlighted four themes: “empowering functions”, “I’m not alone,” “function wish list,” and “usability and privacy.” The apps encouraged self-reflection and built confidence around menopause discussions, especially with HCPs, while the community features encouraged a sense of togetherness. Additional, tailored functionality, alongside ease of use remains important to users. Menopause apps currently available on the market vary in terms of their quality and features but reviews indicate they are generally perceived as positive. Apps may have a role to play in supporting women’s menopause experience and further consideration of their role in relation to HCP consultations is required.

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“这款应用程序让我心动”：评估更年期智能手机应用程序的质量、功能和用户评价

移动健康(mHealth)应用程序正在成为一种流行的数字资源，在过去的几年里，更年期智能手机应用程序变得更加流行。虽然这些应用程序通常很少包含医疗保健专业人员(HCP)的输入或基于证据的信息，但人们对这些应用程序的具体功能以及用户是否认为这些应用程序对她们的更年期经历有帮助知之甚少。我们对18款更年期应用程序进行了质量、功能和书面评论分析。我们使用移动应用评级量表(Mobile App Rating Scale, MAR)评估了应用的整体质量，确定了跟踪、数据可视化和社区元素等功能，并对书面评论进行了专题分析。分析显示，应用质量是多变的，功能从简单的追踪器到社区元素、音频指南和个性化内容都有。对应用程序的评价基本上是积极的，主题分析突出了四个主题:“增强功能”、“我并不孤单”、“功能愿望清单”和“可用性和隐私”。这些应用程序鼓励人们进行自我反思，并在讨论更年期问题时建立信心，尤其是与医护人员讨论时，而社区功能则鼓励了一种团结感。额外的、定制的功能以及易用性对用户来说仍然很重要。目前市场上的更年期应用程序在质量和功能方面各不相同，但评论表明，它们普遍被认为是积极的。应用程序可能在支持妇女更年期经历方面发挥作用，需要进一步考虑它们在HCP咨询中的作用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-

CiteScore

1.30

自引率

12.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet is the only professional peer-reviewed journal devoted to locating consumer health information via the Internet. In this journal librarians and health information providers describe programs and services aimed at helping patients and the general public find the health information they need. From the Editor: "Studies have shown that health information is one of the major reasons that people worldwide access the Internet. As the amount of health information on the Web increases exponentially, it becomes critical that librarians-including public and medical librarians-be knowledgeable about what is available online and be able to direct users to reliable, accurate, quality information."

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