Compliant mHealth app : A case study from app developers' perspective

• Main Author: Pampana, Lavanya Vinod
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Institutionen för programvaruteknik 2015
• Subjects: Compliance; Mobile Health; App Development; Software Engineering; Programvaruteknik
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-11440

Context. With the pervasive nature of mobile phones, many mobile health (mHealth) apps are released in market. It is of supreme importance to consolidate compliance right in the development of app. There are many policies and regulations formed in various countries that fundamentally protect patient information. Further, there are stringent actions taken for not complying with the regulations. This being the case, how do app developers from start-up to small scale companies find solutions to the problem? It is necessary to study the situation from developer’s perspective to create innovation and sustain. Objectives. In this study, we identify tools, techniques, methods or process used by developers to create a compliant app. This study also throws light on challenges being faced by the developers. Finally, a guideline is devised for the app developers to facilitate in development of a compliant app. Methods. A case study is performed with two data collection methods namely interviews and survey questionnaire to strengthen the findings. With not much of literature support, interview study helped in gaining perspective of developers instrumental in creation of survey instrument. Results. Different tools, techniques, methods, processes used by developers were identified. Alongside, challenges were also listed based on the importance level. Further, a guideline was drafted that serves as recommendation for the app developers in development of complaint mobile health app. The guideline devised is at a higher level that can help developers focus on key aspects with regards to development of a complaint mHealth app.   Conclusions. Author concludes that app developers mainly use project management tools available. There is a need for specific tools, techniques to be developed for the developers such that it becomes easy for app developers to develop compliant mHealth app. In fact, there must be effective guidelines drafted in the clearest possible way that can be used by developers without any ambiguity. This research acts as an exploratory study aimed at identifying the current practice of developers. More research is needed in this field to solve the developers’ problem.