Achieving value in mobile health applications for cancer survivors.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to identify appropriate development and testing strategies for mobile health applications for cancer survivors.


METHODS
In January of 2016, we conducted a PubMed search for mobile applications for cancer survivors. A total of 32 articles were selected for inclusion, including 13 review articles, and 19 articles describing an mHealth application or intervention. We assessed mobile app development and testing strategies and standards as described in these articles.


RESULTS
We identified seven elements of patient empowerment applications for cancer survivors, strategies for application development that take advantage of smartphone capabilities, issues for consideration in developing new applications, and steps for creating user-centered mobile health applications that provide meaningful value for cancer survivors. However, few mobile health apps implemented empowerment elements, underwent rigorous design approaches, or included assessment of use in the cancer survivor population.


CONCLUSIONS
There is tremendous potential for mobile health apps to benefit cancer survivors. However, there are specific issues for consideration in developing new applications and steps for creating user-centered applications which are not routinely used. This diminishes the value for the cancer survivor population but could be easily addressed through standardized development and testing procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
Smartphone applications have the potential to improve the cancer survivorship experience, but users should look for evidence that the application was appropriately developed and tested.
Cancer Prevention Institute of California, 2201 Walnut Ave, Ste 300, Fremont, CA, 94538, USA.
Sharon Watkins
SW
Davis
Cancer Prevention Institute of California, 2201 Walnut Ave, Ste 300, Fremont, CA, 94538, USA. ingrid.oakley-girvan@cpic.org.|Department of Health Research and Policy, Stanford Cancer Institute and Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. ingrid.oakley-girvan@cpic.org.
Ingrid
I
Oakley-Girvan
D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
Cancer survivorship; Development; Digital technologies; Review; Testing