Purpose: Patients use mobile applications (apps) to obtain information about health, including contraception. Providers and health educators may also use apps designed for patients to aid in patient education during the clinical encounter or recommend apps for patient use. Individuals may have a difficult time remaining updated on the number and quality of available apps. The objective of this study is to identify and evaluate contraception apps for patient education and health promotion, so that providers and health educators may recommend accurate apps to patients.
Methods: We systematically searched the Apple iTunes Store using contraception search terms. A master list of apps was created and the apps were divided into categories and subcategories according to intended audience and purpose. Contraception apps for patient education and health promotion were selected and also checked for availability in the Google Play Store. We evaluated these identified apps using an adapted APPLICATIONS scoring system.
Findings: Forty-eight apps were identified from the original search. Nineteen of these were excluded because they did not open on an iPhone or iPad, were no longer available, or did not contain educational material on contraception. We excluded 11 additional apps that contained inaccurate information. We evaluated 18 apps. The mean score was 10.6 out of 17 possible points with a range of 7 to 15 points.
Conclusions: Many apps provide contraception information for patients, but some apps are inaccurate. Few apps provide comprehensive information on all available methods, including effectiveness, side effects, and contraindications.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2016.09.012 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Facilitators and barriers to implementing mental health apps among interdisciplinary staff in the Veterans Health Administration.
Psychol Serv
January 2025
National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, VA Palo Alto Health Care System.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) developed evidence-informed mental health mobile applications (MH apps) to supplement treatment and serve as self-care resources for veterans.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBidirectional associations between smartphone usage and momentary well-being in young adults: Tackling methodological challenges by combining experience sampling methods with passive smartphone data.
Emotion
January 2025
Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, Department of Psychometrics and Statistics, University of Groningen.
Given the pervasive role of smartphones in modern life, research into their impact on well-being has flourished. This study addresses existing methodological shortcomings using smartphone log data and experience sampling methods (ESM) to explore the bidirectional within-person relationship between smartphone usage and momentary well-being variables (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHypnotherapy for Smoking Cessation, Sleep, Pain, and the Potential of Hypnosis Apps.
Int J Clin Exp Hypn
January 2025
Psychology & Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA.
This issue of the provides a systematic review of hypnotherapy for smoking cessation as well as a systematic review of hypnosis apps. These reviews are followed by articles that examine hypnotherapy for sleep disturbances in patients with multiple sclerosis, and provide results from a randomized clinical trial of immersive virtual reality to reduce pain and anxiety in individuals undergoing orthopedic surgery. In addition, an important new study, with findings that suggest a "general factor" may best account for hypnotizability is presented.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNavigating the wild west: a review of guidance on clinical communications using personal BYOD, IM and third-party apps in the UK and Ireland.
Front Digit Health
January 2025
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Cork University Dental School and Hospital, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Introduction: The ubiquity of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) personal smartphones, Instant Messaging (IM), and third-party apps, has made these technologies compelling for efficient communications between clinicians regarding patient care. However, the sensitivity of patient-related information necessitates secure, GDPR compliant modalities that prevent unauthorised access and ensure confidentiality. This scoping review explores existing guidelines, policies, and regulations that advise clinicians in the UK and Ireland on the secure use of these digital communication tools.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWhat are the perceptions and experiences of adults using mobile applications for self-management in diabetes? A systematic review.
BMJ Open
January 2025
Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, London, UK.
Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that entails significant burdens to patients, caregivers and society at large. While self-management behaviours like healthy eating and monitoring of blood glucose help to reduce the care burden, they are still perceived to be burdensome. Mobile applications have emerged as promising digital tools in helping patients to self-manage their conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!