By the Numbers - Aug. 29, 2016
85%
The percentage of mental health smartphone apps evaluated by researchers that did not mention anything about privacy or security in the application description, according to a recent article in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking -- Smartphone Applications for Mental Health.
The researchers also found that only 59% of the app descriptions included "information to substantiate stated effectiveness of the application." The authors conclude:
Due to uncertainty of the helpfulness of readily available mental health applications, clinicians working with mental health patients should inquire about and provide guidance on application use, and patients should have access to ways to assess the potential utility of these applications. Strategic policy and research developments are likely needed to equip patients with applications for mental health, which are patient centered and evidence based.
85%
The percentage of mental health smartphone apps evaluated by researchers that did not mention anything about privacy or security in the application description, according to a recent article in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking -- Smartphone Applications for Mental Health.
The researchers also found that only 59% of the app descriptions included "information to substantiate stated effectiveness of the application." The authors conclude:
Due to uncertainty of the helpfulness of readily available mental health applications, clinicians working with mental health patients should inquire about and provide guidance on application use, and patients should have access to ways to assess the potential utility of these applications. Strategic policy and research developments are likely needed to equip patients with applications for mental health, which are patient centered and evidence based.