Suitability of current evaluation frameworks for use in the health technology assessment of mobile medical applications: A systematic review

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:To identify and appraise existing evaluation frameworks for mobile medical applications (MMA) and determine their suitability for use in health technology assessment (HTA) of these technologies. METHODS:Systematic searches were conducted of seven bibliographic databases to identify literature published between 2008 and 2016 on MMA evaluation frameworks. Frameworks were eligible if they were used to evaluate at least one of the HTA domains of effectiveness, safety, and/or cost and cost-effectiveness of an MMA. After inclusion, the frameworks were reviewed to determine the number and extent to which other elements of an HTA were addressed by the framework. RESULTS:A total of forty-five frameworks were identified that assessed MMAs. All frameworks assessed whether the app was effective. Of the thirty-four frameworks that examined safety, only seven overtly evaluated potential harms from the MMA (e.g., the impact of inaccurate information). Only one framework explicitly considered a comparator. Technology specific domains were sporadically addressed. CONCLUSION:None of the evaluation frameworks could be used, unaltered, to guide the HTA of MMAs. To use these frameworks in HTA they would need to identify relevant comparators, improve assessments of harms and consider the ongoing effect of software updates on the safety and effectiveness of MMAs. Attention should also be paid to ethical issues, such as data privacy, and technology specific characteristics. IMPLICATIONS:Existing MMA evaluation frameworks are not suitable for use in HTA. Further research is needed before an MMA evaluation framework can be developed that will adequately inform policy makers.