Mobile Applications for Stroke Prevention: A Survey of Physicians’ Perspectives

Abstract

Objective: To explore current and potential mobile application use in stroke prevention: Do primary care physicians (PCP) recommend, use, or discuss mobile health applications for stroke preventative measures? Background: There are currently over 40,000 healthcare related mobile applications. However, little is known about the prevalence and nature of mobile application adoption in patient-centered clinical practice and its effectiveness in healthcare outcomes. Methods: Cross-sectional, IRB-approved study from June 2015 to October 2015. Current PCPs in the New York City area specializing in Internal Medicine, Ob/Gyn, and Family Medicine were surveyed both in person and online. The survey consisted of demographic questions and practice characteristics: gender, specialty, resident/attending, type of practice (private independent, private partnership, community or university hospital), years of experience (<3, 3-10, 11-20, >20), patients seen per month (<30, 30-100, >100), median income of practice zip code as determined by census data ( $40,000), and 11 questions on mobile application use. Results: Of the 86 physicians surveyed (53[percnt] female; mean age=37, SD=12), 74[percnt] reported using mobile applications in patient care, whether for their own use or in recommending to patients. Experience was the most important determining factor, with 82[percnt] of physicians with <3 years practice experience using mobile apps, 78[percnt] of physicians with 3-10 years, 60[percnt] of physicians with 11-20 years, and 58[percnt] of physicians with >20 years experience (p=0.05). Physicians reported using mobile applications to manage stroke risk factors 25[percnt] of the time, while 77[percnt] expressed interest in new apps to help their patients manage these risks. Lastly, 41[percnt] of physicians surveyed strongly agreed that mobile applications are useful in providing patient care, while 49[percnt] simply agreed and 0[percnt] disagreed. Conclusions: Most physicians believe that mobile applications belong in healthcare and are already using them, although they are not necessarily using them to manage stroke risk factors.