Are mobile health applications useful for supporting shared decision making in diagnostic and treatment decisions?

Glob Health Action. 2017 Jun;10(sup3):1332259. doi: 10.1080/16549716.2017.1332259.

Abstract

Mobile health (mHealth) applications intended to support shared decision making in diagnostic and treatment decisions are increasingly available. In this paper, we discuss some recent studies on mHealth applications with relevance to shared decision making. We discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of using mHealth in shared decision making in various contexts, and suggest some directions for future research in this quickly expanding field.

Keywords: decision making; health information; mHealth; mHealth for Improved Access and Equity in Health Care; mobile applications; patient engagement.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Phone*
  • Decision Making*
  • Delivery of Health Care / methods*
  • Humans
  • Mobile Applications*
  • Telemedicine / methods*