<p>Rheumatology care is characterized by complex disease patterns, heterogeneous therapies, and diverse systemic and patient-related factors. Limited human and financial resources, increasing cost pressures, and complex care structures require innovative approaches to healthcare delivery. Health-related apps can contribute to supporting such approaches. They enable continuous collection of patient-reported outcomes, promote evidence-based and individualized decision-making, and can enhance self-management, behavioral change, and social support. However, the scientific evidence regarding their effectiveness is heterogeneous, reflecting substantial differences in the purpose, quality, and functionality of the apps. Studies also show that many available health apps contain inadequate, misleading, or potentially harmful content. In rheumatology, several specialized apps exist, but systematic studies on their effectiveness remain scarce. A&#xa0;general recommendation for specific applications is therefore not possible; selection should always be guided by individual goals and needs. A&#xa0;variety of instruments are available for assessing the quality of health apps, including MARS (mobile application rating scale), SUS (system usability scale), usability questionnaires, and national evaluation frameworks. These differ in scope, objectives, and explanatory power, and no universally accepted standard instrument currently exists. A&#xa0;sound evaluation should consider multiple dimensions such as evidence base, user-friendliness, data protection, legal compliance, and ethical aspects. In practice, it is essential to select individually suitable apps, integrate them into existing care models, and pay particular attention to evidence, target group appropriateness, and data protection during the selection process.</p>

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Apps in der Rheumatologie – wie kann deren Qualität beurteilt werden?

  • Janette Ribaut

摘要

Rheumatology care is characterized by complex disease patterns, heterogeneous therapies, and diverse systemic and patient-related factors. Limited human and financial resources, increasing cost pressures, and complex care structures require innovative approaches to healthcare delivery. Health-related apps can contribute to supporting such approaches. They enable continuous collection of patient-reported outcomes, promote evidence-based and individualized decision-making, and can enhance self-management, behavioral change, and social support. However, the scientific evidence regarding their effectiveness is heterogeneous, reflecting substantial differences in the purpose, quality, and functionality of the apps. Studies also show that many available health apps contain inadequate, misleading, or potentially harmful content. In rheumatology, several specialized apps exist, but systematic studies on their effectiveness remain scarce. A general recommendation for specific applications is therefore not possible; selection should always be guided by individual goals and needs. A variety of instruments are available for assessing the quality of health apps, including MARS (mobile application rating scale), SUS (system usability scale), usability questionnaires, and national evaluation frameworks. These differ in scope, objectives, and explanatory power, and no universally accepted standard instrument currently exists. A sound evaluation should consider multiple dimensions such as evidence base, user-friendliness, data protection, legal compliance, and ethical aspects. In practice, it is essential to select individually suitable apps, integrate them into existing care models, and pay particular attention to evidence, target group appropriateness, and data protection during the selection process.