The development of specific software programs for the purpose of managing various health conditions is on the rise. The advancements in the mobile phone technology have provided the healthcare system and the public with a chance to download phone applications and use them in the management of diseases. Majeed-Aris et al. (2015) did a systematic review to examine the effectiveness of these mobile apps in the management of chronic physical conditions in the adolescents. This paper will discuss the research article by Majeed-Aris et al. (2015) and analyze its appropriateness for application in the nursing practice. The purpose of the study, the interventions that were done, and methods used to review various articles will be discussed. This paper will also present the main findings. Finally, the paper will analyze if the research is credible. The credibility section will focus on the journal where the research was published; the study design and data collection; measuring instruments and extraneous variables and, finally, it will conclude by explaining whether the findings would be the same if the research would have been done in the USA.
Use of Apps by Adolescents to Support Personal Management of Chronic Conditions
Technological advances have brought notable improvements to the healthcare system. Various innovations have made diagnostic tests convenient and accessible at a low cost. The invention of mobile applications has equally made significant changes in the way healthcare providers and patients managed different health conditions. These applications have improved the accessibility of information, making it easy for people to get informed about health issues without necessarily visiting health care providers for advice. In adolescents, the use of mobile phone technology, particularly apps is rising. Significantly, applications have made it possible for young people to manage their chronic conditions, thus improving their health outcomes. Majeed-Aris et al. (2015) conducted a systematic review to examine the effectiveness of these mobile apps in helping adolescents manage their chronic physical conditions. This paper analyzes the study carried out by Majeed-Aris et al. and examines if it is credible and applicable to recommend the use of mobile apps in the management of diseases in adolescents.
Purpose of the Study
The aim of the study can be understood by reading the abstract. The authors state that the objective of the research is to do a systematic review of various research findings on the effectiveness of mobile apps, which are designed to support adolescents in managing their chronic physical conditions. The topic of the article is in agreement with the study purpose presented in the abstract. Therefore, the readers of this article can know immediately that the study is about reviewing the literature to conclude the effectiveness of mobile or tablet apps in managing long-term chronic physical conditions in adolescents. However, the researchers do not provide the research questions that the study should answer. Similarly, the problem statement is not provided. Despite that, the reader of the article is aware of the purpose of the study.
Data Contribution
The authors state that the study was a systematic review. They assert in the abstract that they reviewed English-language literature that was published since 2003. In the method section, the literature was accessed from five relevant bibliographical databases, which included MEDLINE, Embase, (CINAHL), PsychINFO, and the Web of Science. The articles were searched using three key terms. Since the investigators did not have expertise in searching for the terms, they consulted an informatio