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HomeM-Health applications for responding to drug use and associated harms
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The fast developmental pace and widespread use of mobile technology and the internet mean that smartphone-based m-health (mobile health) applications (apps) have huge potential to further expand the reach of and access to drug-related health services towards a common goal of ensuring a healthier Europe. However, m-health for drug users and for health professionals in the field of drugs is still in its infancy and poorly documented at European Union (EU) level. The aim of this scoping study was therefore to carry out a first exploration of available smartphone applications in the drugs field within a European and global context. It explored the range of m-health applications available to users and professionals seeking information, support and advice in a wide range of EU languages. The systematic search of drug-related smartphone applications identified a total of 67 applications across the three main app stores. The identified m-health applications apply various technologies ranging from simple text-based content display to more advanced interactive functions such as video transmission, geo-tagging functions and automated personalised feedback. Based on the main objectives, content and target end-users of the 67 identified apps, three main groups of drug-related m-health applications emerged: apps that aim to disseminate drug-related information and advice, apps that provide interventions and support for drug users and apps for capacity building among health professionals. Most m-health apps address risk behaviour associated with drugs in general or drug use in specific settings (e.g. nightlife settings). Some drug-specific apps are available for more commonly used drugs such as cannabis and cocaine. A number of challenges for users, app developers and policymakers were identified in this scoping study. The lack of scientific evaluations of drug-related m-health interventions is concerning considering the increasing interest in and availability of such apps. Additionally, the lack of quality control of the content of these apps available to EU citizens, with no age limits, remains to be addressed. Global differences in therapeutic approaches used in the identified apps were apparent, especially between the United States and Europe, and this raises questions about the cross-cultural relevance of m-health applications. At the same time, the impact of the new EU General Data Protection Regulation may be of particular relevance in a context of fast global development of drug-related m-health apps available to EU citizens.
- Publicado em:
- Autor(es) institucional(ais): European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (Órgão e agência UE)
- Temas: Saúde pública , Tecnologia da informação e telecomunicações
- Tema: access to information , drug addiction , health care , health risk , information technology applications , Internet , mobile phone , telemedicine
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| ISSN 2315-1463 | ISBN 978-92-9497-368-9 | DOI 10.2810/379921 | Número de catálogo TD-AU-18-003-EN-N |
- Released on EU publications website:
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