Healthcare Mobile Apps: A Leading Edge in the Digital Healthcare Sector and Education

Abstract

In the recent years, the smartphone and tablet technology has evolved rapidly. Similarly, the healthcare sector is constantly developing and many opportunities for digital applications (i.e. ‘mobile apps’) related to the healthcare sector are now emerging. The objective was to ascertain whether registered pharmacists in India believe it appropriate to use mobile apps and digital platforms during the provision of healthcare within the community setting. Further to ethical approval from Arbor Biotech Pvt Ltd, the 15 item questionnaire was distributed to registered pharmacists (n=110) practising within the city of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The questions were formatted as multiple choice, Likert scales or the subjective mode (open-ended questions). On questionnaire completion and return, data were analysed using simple frequencies, cross tabulations and nonparametric techniques in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (v21). The majority of respondents (77% of 110 participants) were confident when using mobile apps on their technology platform. Mobile apps were found to be useful in facilitating patient consultations (55%) and supporting healthcare education (80%). The main barrier for mobile app use within the workplace was company policy, deemed significant in the case of regional / national chain pharmacies (p<0.001). Pharmacists indicated that the digital mobile apps will have a greater impact in the future. These data indicate that although pharmacists are supportive of mobile apps in healthcare, a number of factors (i.e. risk, company policy and lack of regulation) may prevent their use in modern day pharmacy practise.