Distribution of mHealth applications in Germany: analysis of the FeverApp registry.

Objective: In this observational study, we determined the distribution of mHealth applications (apps) in Germany using data from the FeverApp registry.

Methods: The registry data were processed to assess general monthly trends in app distribution, and a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model was decomposed to investigate time series. A sample comparison was made matching data from cold-called against self-registered distributers of the FeverApp.

Results: Among 881 pediatric and adolescent medical practices, 27,300 app users were recruited between 2019 and August 2023. The number of monthly recruited users increased steadily. A seasonal trend was observed, showing a higher distribution in winter months. Self-registered pediatric practices did not recruit significantly more app users than cold-called practices, with approximately every 25th family recruited in both groups.

Conclusions: The trend of more app sign-ups during winter is likely related to the flu season in Germany. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors of the practices seem to have a large impact on the distribution. We observed a positive trend in the app distribution. Seasonal febrile infections and individual distribution methods among practices influence the distribution of the FeverApp in Germany. Family factors may have a greater influence than the motivation of distributing practices.