Mobile Health Tools to Support Antimicrobial Prescribing: An Integrative Review of Digital Applications
摘要
The use of mobile application in antimicrobial prescribing has gained attention for enhancing the stewardship practices. However, evidence on its effectiveness and implementation remains inconclusive and limited. This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of mobile applications on the antimicrobial prescribing with contextual and implementation considerations.
Recent FindingsAn integrative review was conducted in accordance with the approach outlined by Whittemore & Knafl. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to June 2025. Studies that assess the impact of mobile application in various aspects (process, clinical, knowledge, economic outcomes and implementation) of antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship were considered. A total of 15 out of 1,267 records that considered diverse clinical domains were included. Mobile app was focused on improving guideline adherence and practice implementation (n = 8;53.3%), rational and appropriate antibiotic usage(n = 4;26.7%) and clinical decision support (n = 3;20%). The apps were majorly targeted a provider-provider use (n = 13; 86.7%) among clinicians (n = 8;53.3%). All studies reported that apps significantly improved antibiotic prescribing habits, usage pattern, knowledge and awareness, adherence to guidelines, drug-related problem detection, and economic outcomes, but did not show an improvement in clinical compliance, and documentation. Evidence regarding implementation was limited, with no studies evaluating the impact of implementation strategies.
SummaryMobile applications show promise in improving process, knowledge, and economic outcomes, but not clinical compliance, and documentation. The evidence on impact of implementation strategies remains limited and warrants further investigation.