Dedicated apps and devices library helps those living with Parkinson's
find trustworthy and effective apps
find trustworthy and effective apps
The Challenge: Identifying trustworthy health apps
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It is estimated there are 145,000 people living with Parkinson’s in the UK. Advances in technology and the growth of mobile health (mHealth) through an increasing variety of health apps means that devices and apps are becoming increasingly available to individuals for the day to day management of condition’s such as Parkinson’s, as well as tools for health and social care professionals.
Emma Lawton, Devices and Apps Lead for Parkinson’s UK, explains the challenge that Parkinson’s UK faced: "Through our helpline we were increasingly being asked questions about apps and devices that people had seen or heard about, but we were not able to answer questions or provide advice with consistency or conviction. We were increasingly aware of the need to ensure we were providing confident and informed advice.” With so many different apps and devices available, the charity needed a way to identify those which they could recommend with confidence to individuals with Parkinson’s. The Solution: a bespoke curated app library
Parkinson’s UK chose to partner with Our Mobile Health (OMH) to build a dedicated app library.
The rigorous app review process used by OMH meant the charity could have confidence in the quality and safety of apps and devices passing review. The OMH review process is designed to identify the ‘best of the best’ amongst the thousands of available health apps. Furthermore the OMH process facilitated a partnership working approach, which was important. Developing the library using a partnership approach allowed the inclusion of a unique element to the review process. A fully inclusive user panel comprising individuals of all ages, living with Parkinson’s, tested the apps in real life conditions and provided open and honest feedback on the ease of use, effectiveness etc. Feedback was also shared with the app developers, providing them with invaluable end user insights for the continued development of their app and future apps. |
From left to right: Matt Wilkinson, Our Mobile Health with Emma Lawton and
Julie Dodd, Parkinson's UK at the Florence Pite Memorial Lecture 2018 which focused on how technology is aiding the fight against Parkinson's “We felt that Parkinson’s UK should have a strong voice in this rapidly growing area, to help provide the right advice and guide people to apps and devices that are safe and effective to use.”
- Emma Lawton, Devices and Apps Lead, Parkinson's UK “The additional feedback we were able to provide to app developers following the panel testing was hugely insightful, helping app developers to refine their apps to meet the needs of the end users”
- Matt Wilkinson, Account Manager, Our Mobile Health “We are incredibly excited about the potential of technology to transform the lives of people living with long-term conditions like Parkinson’s and we are committed to leading the way to make this happen.”
- Julie Dodd, Director of Digital Transformation and Communication, Parkinson's UK |
The Result: 'Tried and Trusted' Apps & Devices Library
For each app and device included in the library there is a wealth of information to help individuals identify if the app or wearable is something they should try using. Details provided include: a brief description, detail about the related symptom(/s) it seeks to address, links on how to download/obtain the app or device, and feedback from the review panel testers.
There are also short videos featuring individuals who have tested the app/device themselves.
The partnership approach between Parkinson’s UK and Our Mobile Health worked exceptionally well. Emma Lawton explains:
“We didn’t know what to expect, being the first charity to develop such a library. The process of working with Our Mobile Health has turned out to be seamless. Information flowed both ways and there were regular updates. They [OMH] had a responsive and engaged approach at all times and clearly shared our determination to make the project a success, providing valuable and consistent support throughout.”
The ambition is to see individuals increasingly being referred in to the library. Parkinson’s UK would like to see clinicians referring into it as an additional resource to support individuals alongside prescribed medications.
The hope is that the adoption of digital health tools in this way will encourage other charities to consider doing something similar for their communities. In the future they would like to see and be part of a network of app libraries which charities can use to cross refer across the communities they support.
There are also short videos featuring individuals who have tested the app/device themselves.
The partnership approach between Parkinson’s UK and Our Mobile Health worked exceptionally well. Emma Lawton explains:
“We didn’t know what to expect, being the first charity to develop such a library. The process of working with Our Mobile Health has turned out to be seamless. Information flowed both ways and there were regular updates. They [OMH] had a responsive and engaged approach at all times and clearly shared our determination to make the project a success, providing valuable and consistent support throughout.”
The ambition is to see individuals increasingly being referred in to the library. Parkinson’s UK would like to see clinicians referring into it as an additional resource to support individuals alongside prescribed medications.
The hope is that the adoption of digital health tools in this way will encourage other charities to consider doing something similar for their communities. In the future they would like to see and be part of a network of app libraries which charities can use to cross refer across the communities they support.
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It’s fantastic that digital health is being embraced in this way for the first time in the charity sector to enable those individuals to find and access trustworthy, relevant and thoroughly tested apps easily.
- Julie Bretland, CEO, Our Mobile Health |
