Mobile phone apps for family caregivers: A scoping review and qualitative content analysis

BACKGROUND: The growth of mHealth apps has been exponential in recent years, but there is limited knowledge regarding the availability, functionality, and quality of apps to support family caregivers. Our objectives were to identify the apps currently available to support family caregivers and to analyze the app functions and evaluation claims. METHODS: This scoping review was conducted across the iOS, Android, and Windows Phone app stores in three steps: (1) electronic app search; (2) iterative inclusion and exclusion criteria development; (3) mixed-method analysis of app characteristics and evaluation claims. RESULTS: The search identified 1008 apps; 175 met our inclusion/exclusion criteria. Most apps offered either one (36%, 63/175) or two (41%, 71/175) specific functions, the most common of which were access to service and provider directories, providing patient-caring tips, and tools to facilitate daily activities associated with caring for a loved one. For fully two-thirds (67%, 118/175) of the identified apps, the functions serve to assist caregivers to support the care recipient as opposed to supporting the family caregivers themselves. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this review indicate that, while a wide range of family caregiver apps are now available across the mHealth landscape, most apps offer limited functionality. Therefore, there is a need for multi-functionality to avoid the inherent challenges that caregivers may experience when navigating and managing multiple apps to meet all their various needs. Moreover, as this specific niche continues to develop, greater attention should be devoted to supporting family caregivers’ own personal care needs as caregiver burden is a pressing challenge.