Background: eHealth has the potential to improve health outcomes. However, this potential is largely untapped. Individuals face an overload of apps and have difficulties choosing suitable apps for themselves. In the FitKnip experiment, individuals were given access to a health app platform, where they could purchase reliable preselected health apps with a personal budget of €100 (US $107.35). By conducting a prospective study, we aimed to scientifically evaluate the FitKnip experiment as an innovative way to improve population health.
Objective: The aim of the experiment was to scientifically evaluate the FitKnip experiment as an innovative way to improve population health. More specifically, we conducted an in-depth qualitative evaluation of the concept and acceptability of FitKnip, its perceived impact on health empowerment, as well as the roles of stakeholders for the future implementation of a health app platform through focus group interviews.
Methods: This study followed a phenomenological research design and included 7 focus group interviews with end users and 1 with stakeholders, held between July and December 2020. End users were recruited through various institutions in the Netherlands, for example, insurance companies and local governments. All focus groups were semistructured using interview guides and were held via videoconferencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic measures. Each participant received access to a health app platform where they were enabled to purchase reliable, preselected health apps with a budget of €100 (US $107.35). The budget was valid for the entire research period. The health app platform offered 38 apps. A third party, a health care coalition, selected the apps to be included in FitKnip. The analyses were conducted according to the principles of the Framework Method.
Results: A priori formulated themes were concept, acceptability, health empowerment, and outcomes, and the roles of stakeholders for the future implementation of a health app platform. Both end users (n=31) and stakeholders (n=5) were enthusiastic about the concept of a health app platform. End users indicated missing apps regarding physical health and lifestyle and needing more guidance toward suitable apps. End users saw health empowerment as a precondition to using a health app platform and achieving health outcomes depending on the purchased mobile apps. End users and stakeholders identified potential providers and financing parties of FitKnip. Stakeholders recommended the establishment of a reputable national or international quality guidelines or certification for health and wellbeing apps, that can demonstrate the quality and reliability of mobile health applications.
Conclusions: This study showed the need for a personalized and flexible platform. Next to this, a deeper understanding of the roles of stakeholders in such initiatives is needed especially on financing and reimbursement of health promotion and digital health services. A personalized, flexible health app platform is a promising initiative to support individuals in their health.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/49473 | DOI Listing |
Trop Anim Health Prod
December 2024
Animal Breeding and Genomic Group, Department of Animal Science, University Egerton, PO Box 536-20115, Egerton, Kenya.
The evolution of body weight under the natural trypanosome challenge and its association with disease tolerance to trypanosomosis is of utmost economic importance in cattle. This study estimated heritability for growth traits and packed cell volume (PCV) and their genetic correlations in the N'Dama cattle in the Gambia. A total of 2,488, 2,442, 1,471, 1,934, and 1,452 bodyweight records at 12 months (WT12), 16 months (WT16), 18 months (WT18), 24 months (WT24), 36 months (WT36) and 50 months (WT50) and 1,782, 1,800, 1,844, 1,608, and 1,459 records for PCV at 12 months (PCV12) 18 months (PCV18), 24 months (PCV24), 36 months (PCV36), and 50 months (PCV50), respectively, were analysed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBDJ Open
December 2024
Department of Medical Education, Virtual School of Medical Education and Management, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Objective: This study investigates the effectiveness of a newly developed smartphone-based application for teaching population oral health needs assessment to undergraduate dental students.
Methods: Target population in this study consisted of all students of Shahid Beheshti School of dentistry in the 7 and 8 semesters in the year 2023. The intervention group (7 semester) received teaching about population oral health needs assessment based on the book "Oral health surveys; basic methods", by means of an application, while the control group (8 semester) received the same content through self-learning activity.
Pilot Feasibility Stud
December 2024
Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Background: This pilot study aimed to provide supportive evidence for the feasibility of conducting a full-scale intervention trial with patients newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer (HNC). This included assessing the acceptability and potential usefulness of the PTSD Coach mobile app as an early self-management intervention that gives information about anxiety symptoms, offers self-assessment of symptoms with feedback, tools to self-manage anxiety, and connects to support.
Methods: A three-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted.
Background: With the COVID-19 emergency, the provision of healthcare had to be reorganized. Community Health Services for Families of Trieste adopted new methods to ensure continuity of care and the maintenance of the Standards and Good Practices of the Baby Friendly Initiative of UNICEF for the Birth Care Pathway. The aim of the study was to identify the perceived needs of women, couples, caregivers, and health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate new healthcare strategies, identifying weaknesses and strengths, and future developments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Phys Med Rehabil
December 2024
Département d'opérations et systèmes de decision, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
Objective: To measure the effect of a community-based peer-led eHealth manual wheelchair (MWC) skills training program on community participation, wheelchair skills capacity and performance, wheelchair-specific self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life.
Design: Randomized control trial with wait-list control group.
Setting: Community.
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