NR 599 Week 6: Medical Application Critical Appraisal Guidelines

NR 599 Week 6: Medical Application Critical Appraisal Guidelines

NR 599 Week 6: Medical Application Critical Appraisal Guidelines

Mobile health, also known as mHealth, has been one of the fascinating technological discoveries in the past decades. mHealth is defined as medicinal and public health measures supported by cell phones, personal alphanumeric assistants, patient nursing devices, and other tuner devices. The primary goal of mHealth is to improve the quality of healthcare (Al-Azzam, 2021). The use of mobile phones in healthcare can reduce healthcare costs. It can also help shift population behavior toward disease prevention, improving healthcare outcomes in the long term. mHealth applications have been established to be helpful in obtaining symptom data for a variety of populations living with chronic and serious health conditions (Subramaniam et al., 2022). The purpose of this paper is to describe a mHealth app and explain how it can be applied in a clinical scenario.

Name: MEDITECH MHealth.

Author: The MHealth app was developed by MEDITECH, a healthcare software company that provides an electronic health record (EHR) system to healthcare providers. Endorsement: The MHealth app is endorsed by MEDITECH, which also powers users’ access to their health information through MHealth (MEDITECH, n.d.).

Operation: To have the most optimal patient experience with the app, the mobile device or tablet should be iOS 12 or later or Android 7.0 or later.

Aesthetics:  The MHealth app is easy to use and user-friendly. It has various well-labeled and colored sections, including messages, health trackers, appointments, results, medications, billing, health summary, and reports. This enables the user to go directly to the service they need in the app (MEDITECH, n.d.). The message function is well-designed and allows the user to send a message to a specific healthcare provider, including the subject of the message, such as ‘medication question,’ and type the medical inquiry. Besides, the

The Appointment function enables clinicians to provide clear details to the patients. This includes the appointment date and time, clinician, location, directions, estimated duration, the reason for a clinic visit, and instructions for the patient (MEDITECH, n.d.). To get started with the MHealth app, one must use their existing Patient Portal logon ID and password.

Purpose: MHealth is the mobile version of MEDITECH’s Patient and Consumer Health Portal. It aims at providing secure and convenient access to health information on mobile devices or tablets (MEDITECH, n.d.). The MHealth app offers a wide range of results and features that allow the user better to manage their healthcare and that of their family.

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The app allows users to communicate securely with their healthcare team. One can use the app to request new appointments, view details for upcoming clinic visits, and pre-register for future appointments. Besides, the app enables one to go through their laboratory results and radiology reports as well as monitor their immunizations, allergies, and medical conditions (MEDITECH, n.d.). The MHealth app allows users to manage their home medications and request prescription renewals. Furthermore, one can use the app to reference their clinic visit history information, forms, and discharge instructions.

Clinical Decision Making: The patient information in the app guides decision-making for health consumers on the actions to take to improve health outcomes. When patients view their health information on the portal, they can decide how to improve their health through the recommended lifestyle practices (Al-Azzam, 2021). However, the app is not designed to influence clinical decisions.

Safety:  The MHealth app is free of viruses and malware. The app does not capture or store users’ personal information. Besides, the app uses secure connections to access MEDITECH systems (MEDITECH, n.d.).

Privacy/Security: The app’s developers have availed the privacy policy, which states that no users’ data shall be shared with third parties. The following data can be collected and linked to the user’s identity: Contacts, Health and fitness, Identifiers, Diagnostics, Contact information, User Content, and Sensitive information (MEDITECH, n.d.). Furthermore, the app may collect the following data but is not linked to the user’s identity: location, diagnostics, and usage data. Users’ data is encrypted in transit and cannot be deleted.

User:  The app targets healthcare consumers enabling them to engage their providers.

Distribution: The MHealth app is free and designed for global use.However, an individual’s healthcare organization controls access to the app. The healthcare organization should have a link from the hospital or clinic webpage that directs consumers to an enrollment screen and provides instructions to create an initial login (MEDITECH, n.d.).

Credibility: The information in the mHealth app is usually obtained from a patient’s health records. The patient views the information in the portal and can alert the healthcare provider in case of information needs to be included. The app is also linked to the electronic health record (EHR), which ensures that information such as lab or radiology results and prescribed medications documented in the EHR is automatically reflected on the health portal in the app. This makes the information in the mHealth app credible.

Relevance: The MHealh app was last updated on March 23, 2023, and is thus up-to-date (MEDITECH, n.d.). The app only contains patients’ health information and does not offer recommendations on treating and managing diseases. Therefore, its relevance cannot be assessed based on whether it has content that aligns with evidence-based literature or best practices/standards of care.

Clinical Scenario for This App

            A 55-year-old African American male patient with a history of obesity has been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in a general hospital. The patient has a positive family history of hypertension, and his blood pressure in the last two measurements has been in the higher range. The primary care provider is concerned that if the patient’s condition is not well-managed through lifestyle modification and medication, it may worsen, and the patient may develop diabetes complications. The client is also motivated about managing his health and wants to be involved in his care. In this case, the PCP requests the informatics team to open a patient portal for the client with a MEDITECH affiliate linked to the hospital’s EHR. The patient will download the mHealth app using his phone and log in using the Patient Portal login ID and password.

            Using the mHealth app, the patient will monitor his lab results, like HbA1c, blood glucose levels, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. He will also use the app to ask his PCP about lifestyle modifications, medications, and new symptoms. In addition, he will use the appointments function to view details of upcoming diabetes clinic visits and pre-register for appointments with specialists like a podiatrist for foot assessment and an ophthalmologist for an eye exam. This will ensure that the patient receives high-quality diabetes care, takes charge of his health, and improve health outcomes (Al-Azzam, 2021).

Conclusion

MHealth is a mobile application that allows one to access health information from a smartphone or tablet. The App is connected to a central server that enables access to medical services or expert consultation. It enables users to communicate with their providers, access their health information, track their appointments, and review their diagnostic results and medical history information. The app is safe and secure, and third parties cannot access the information since it is free from viruses and malware.  

References

Al-Azzam, M. K. (2021). Research on the Impact of mHealth Apps on the Primary Healthcare Professionals in Patient Care. Applied bionics and biomechanics, 2021, 7611686. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/7611686

MEDITECH. (n.d.). MHealth app support. MEDITECH EHR Software | MEDITECH. https://home.meditech.com/en/d/mobileappssupport/pages/mhealthsupport.htm

Subramaniam, A., Hensley, E., Stojancic, R., Vaughn, J., & Shah, N. (2022). Careful considerations for mHealth app development: lessons learned from QuestExplore. mHealth, pp. 8, 24. https://doi.org/10.21037/mhealth-21-51

Assignment

Purpose

The purposes of this assignment are to: (a) demonstrate nursing informatics skills to critique commonly used mobile applications, (b) synthesize nursing and non-nursing knowledge using a guided appraisal process, and (c) develop NI skills with computer technologies to support professional and personal development with implementation of medical applications in clinical practice.

Mobile Health, also known as mHealth, is defined as the use of wireless communication to support efficiency in public health and clinical practice. To facilitate mHealth, mobile applications (apps) have been developed, which can be executed either on a mobile platform or on a web-based platform which is executed on a server. Mobile medical apps are often accessories to a FDA-regulated medical device. Incumbent upon each healthcare provider is a clear understanding of the implications of this guidance on clinical practice as well as demonstrate discretion with regard to medical app implementation.

Course Outcomes

This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcomes:

CO 2: Demonstrate synthesis of nursing and non-nursing science with information and computer technologies through collaborative advanced nursing practice (PO 5)

CO 4: Exemplify professional values and scholarship to support professional and personal development (PO 1)

Due Date

This assignment is due no later than the Sunday of Week 6 by 11:59 PM MT. Students are expected to submit assignments by the time they are due. Assignments submitted after the due date and time will receive a deduction of 10% of the total points possible for that assignment for each day the assignment is late. Assignments will be accepted, with penalty as described, up to a maximum of three days late, after which point a zero will be recorded for the assignment.

Total Points Possible

This assignment is worth 200 points.

Preparation and Paper Outline:

1. PART 1: The medical application selection for this assignment is contingent upon the month of your birthday. Use the table below to identify the Medical App for this assignment.

Your Birth Month Medical App for Assignment

January, February MDCalc

March, April, May Medscape

June, July, August The Chief Complaint

September, October Pocket Pharmacist(PocketRx)

November, December SingleCare

Use the Google Play Store for Android devices or the Apple iTunes App Store for Apple devices to search for the medical application as determined by the table above.

In order to complete the following guided appraisal, download the app to a mobile device (smartphone or tablet). The apps are free and do not require purchase to complete this assignment.

Provide proof of download by attaching a screenshot of the device screen in JPEG or PDF format to the assignment upload tab (in addition to submitting this assignment). Following the general instructions below for smartphone devices (specific device instructions may vary):

Android 4.0 and Newer: (Galaxy SIII, Galaxy S 4, Galaxy Note, HTC One, Nexus phones, Droid phones)

Any Android phone running Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) or later can easily take a screenshot. Hold the Power and Volume Down buttons together until the screen flashes and you hear the shutter sound. The screenshot image will appear in your Gallery app, usually inside the Screenshots folder

iPhone

The method for taking a screenshot in iOS has been the same since version 2.0. Hold the Power (Sleep/Wake) and Home buttons together until the screen flashes and you hear the shutter sound. The screenshot image will appear in your Photos app under Camera Roll.

2. PART 2: Answer the Medical App Critical Appraisal questions thoughtfully and comprehensively. Use the criteria headings on this outline as the headings on your properly APA- formatted paper.

NAME: What is the name of the app?

AUTHOR: Who created, developed, or maintains the app? Explain.

ENDORSEMENT: Is the app licensed by the Food and Drug Administration, other government agency, or endorsed by an academic institution or medical professional organization? Explain.

OPERATION: Which platform (mobile or web-based) is suitable for the app and why?

AESTHETICS: Is the information displayed in a way that is easy to navigate? Is it easy to use? Can you use it without instructions? Explain.

PURPOSE: What is the intended purpose or use of the app?

CLINICAL DECISION MAKING: What influence does the app have on clinical decision making? Explain.

SAFETY: Is there potential for patient harm? Explain.

PRIVACY/SECURITY: Does the app have privacy statement or setting? Is there a clear privacy policy stating information will be encrypted and not shared with third parties? Does the app share information on social networks? Are users notified in the event of a breach of privacy and health information? Explain.

USER: For whom is the app intended (providers, patients, or others)? Explain.

DISTRIBUTION: Is it designed for local use or wider distribution? Explain.

CREDIBILITY: How credible are the sources of information? How do you know? Explain.

RELEVANCE: How current is the information in the app? When was the last update? Is the content consistent with evidence-based literature or best practices/standards of care? Explain.

3. PART 3: Provide one example of an appropriate patient or clinical scenario for this app. The example should include the following details:

Patient Age-population (Pediatric, Adult, Geriatric)

Clinical Setting (Hospital, Private Practice, Extended Living Facility)

History of Present Illness and Diagnosis or Condition

Provide a detailed description of the app in your example. When will the app be implemented (at the Point-of-care or elsewhere)? Who will use the app? What potential impact will it have on the scenario? Incorporate the critical appraisal information from Part 2. Provide one evidence-based scholarly article as a reference to support clinical decision-making.

4. This assignment will be graded on the quality of the information, inclusion of one evidence-based scholarly resource, use of citations, use of Standard English grammar, and organization based on the required components (see the paper headings and content details in Part 1).
5. The length of the paper is to be between 1,000 and 1,500 words, excluding title page and reference list.
6. Create this assignment using Microsoft (MS) Word. You can tell that the document is saved as a MS Word document because it will end in “.docx.”
7. APA format is required in this assignment, explicitly for in-text citations and the reference list. Use 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins and double spacing. See the APA manual for details regarding proper citation. See resources under Course Resources, “Guidelines for Writing Professional Papers” for further