ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 35
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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Use of mHealth apps by primary care physicians in Israel
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Dr Menashe Amran1,2, Avital Bilitzky2,3, Limor Adler2,3, Mattan Bar-Yishay1,2
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Maccabi Health Services, 2Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 3Department of Family Medicine,
Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
Background
The use of medical health applications (mHealth apps) is widespread, from patients and caregivers to
physicians. Applications are often employed by physicians to quickly access professional knowledge,
direct treatment, train students and residents, easily access medical records, consult specialists and
monitor and manage patients. This study characterises the use of mHealth apps among primary care
physicians (PCPs) in Israel. The reasons and barriers for app use were also investigated.
Methods
700 PCPs employed at Maccabi Healthcare clinics throughout Israel were invited to complete a
questionnaire regarding use of, and attitudes towards, mHealth apps.
Results
From August 2020 to December 2020, 191 physicians completed the questionnaire (a response rate
of 27.3%). Of those, 10 physicians reported that they are not using smartphones and therefore were
not included in the analysis; 68% (n = 123) of PCPs reported the use of mHealth apps. The most
frequently used apps were for telemedicine services. The least frequently used apps were medical
calculators (used for clinical scoring) and differential diagnosis. The most common reason for apps
use was accessibility, followed by time saved and a sense of information reliability. Among infrequent
users of apps, the most common barriers reported were unfamiliarity with relevant apps and feeling
more comfortable using a computer. Concerns regarding information reliability were rarely reported
by PCPs. Physician gender, seniority and clinic location were not related to mHealth app utilisation.
Physician age was related to use, but not to frequency of use, among reported users. Medical
residents were also more likely to use mHealth apps.
Conclusion
mHealth apps are widely utilised by PCPs in Israel, regardless of physician gender, seniority or
location. Information from mHealth apps is considered reliable by PCPs. The main barrier to usage is
unfamiliarity with relevant apps and computer proclivity.
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