A Commonwealth Fund–supported study examined whether mobile apps are appealing and accessible to low-income, low-health literacy patients suffering from chronic conditions. The observational study found these patients could complete only a minority of tasks without any assistance.
Researchers selected 11 well-rated mobile apps to manage diabetes, depression and caregiving, and observed 26 adult patients using them. Nearly 70 percent had limited health literacy. The apps required a great deal of manual data entry and involved going through multiple screens and steps.
Here are five insights:
1. Overall, participants completed only half of the data entry tasks without being helped.
2. Patients also had trouble retrieving data, such as information about upcoming appointments.
3. Patients completed only 79 tasks of 185 tasks across the 11 apps, without assistance.
4. Additionally, the apps did not explain the relevance of certain functions it provided.
5. App developers need to design their products with their target population in mind to effectively leverage technology in reducing health disparities, noted the study.