The Digital Health and Care Institute (DHI) in Glasgow have now published the ‘Report on International Practice on Digital Apps’
The aim was to identify a potential framework to inform how mPower can best develop its approach to mobile apps. The report was commissioned by mPower in 2017 to provide a landscape review of what was available internationally.
A recommendation of the most suitable framework has now been made and with an appendix of nearly 100 apps that could be used, the report will be of great use to the mPower team to support more people to use mobile health apps.
With a vast number of health and wellbeing apps and services now available, the report will help the mPower project partners to navigate the best solutions to achieve the
project objectives; supporting those with long term conditions to live well, safely and more independently in the comforts of their own homes using mobile and digital technology. The project will also connect these individuals to community groups and services to enhance wellbeing and reduce social isolation.
Seventeen current international practices, frameworks, methodologies, guidelines and assurance processes for digital health and wellbeing services/apps were examined within the report. This information will enable the mPower project team to draw upon consistent international themes and trends in the field and help them to choose the most suitable approach for assessing, evaluating and selecting mPower digital applications to support healthy and connected communities.
The report also identifies potential mPower intervention services across in the following areas:
- Diabetes management
- COPD
- Positive mental health
- Physical activity and weight loss
- Healthy eating
- Cancer support
- Heart failure
- Sleep management
- What’s on/Social networks
- Social isolation
Notes to editors:
- The mPower partners are NHS 24, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Dumfries & Galloway, NHS Western Isles, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and the University of the Highlands and Islands (Scotland); Health Service Executive (Ireland); Southern Health and Social Care Trust and Western Health and Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland); and Cooperating and Working Together – a partnership between health and social care services in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
- The mPower project has a budget of €8.7million and is funded through the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, and match funded by the Northern Ireland Executive, the Irish Government and the Scottish Government.
- The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North/South Implementation Body sponsored by The Department of Finance in Northern Ireland and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in Ireland. It is responsible for managing two EU Structural Funds Programmes, PEACE IV and INTERREG VA which are designed to enhance cross-border cooperation, promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and prosperous society. The Programmes operate within a clearly defined area including Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and in the case of INTERREG VA, Western Scotland.
- The INTERREG VA Programme has a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) contribution of €240 million and aims to address the economic and social problems which result from the existence of borders.
- For more information on the SEUPB please visit www.seupb.eu