There is potential for mHealth tools to better facilitate adherence to chronic disease management , but the evidence supporting its current effectiveness is mixed .
BACKGROUND Adherence to chronic disease management is critical to achieving improved health outcomes , quality of life , and cost-effective health care .
As the burden of chronic diseases continues to grow globally , so does the impact of non-adherence .
Mobile technologies are increasingly being used in health care and public health practice ( mHealth ) for patient communication , monitoring , and education , and to facilitate adherence to chronic diseases management .
OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effectiveness of mHealth in supporting the adherence of patients to chronic diseases management ( " mAdherence " ) , and the usability , feasibility , and acceptability of mAdherence tools and platforms in chronic disease management among patients and health care providers .
Gender Differences in Diabetes Self-Management: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of a Mobile Health Intervention for Inner-City Latino Patients
Background : The benefit of mobile health ( mHealth ) on diabetes management among low-income , inner-city patients is largely unknown , particularly for Latino patients .  TExT-MED ( Trial to Examine Text Message for Emergency Department Patients with Diabetes ) is a text message-based program design ed to improve disease knowledge , self-efficacy , and glycemic control among low-income , inner-city Latinos . In phase I , 23 patients participated in an acceptability and feasibility study . Contrary to our model , there was no increase in knowledge despite increases in self-efficacy and healthy behaviors . In phase II , we performed a mixed- methods analysis to underst and how TExT-MED achieved these seemingly contradictory findings . Method : We performed a qualitative analysis of focus groups with patients from phase I. We explored patients ' receipt of health information from TExT-MED and other information sources . We used these qualitative findings to perform a mixed- methods analysis of the outcomes from phase I , reanalyzing the quantitative measures of self-efficacy , diabetes knowledge , and healthy behaviors . Results : We conducted two focus groups , one in English and one in Spanish . Through qualitative analysis , we found gender differences in information sources , dietary self-efficacy , and desired educational content . Applying this knowledge , we re-stratified phase I outcomes by gender and found differential changes in diabetes knowledge , self-efficacy , and behaviors . Men had increased self-efficacy while women showed increased knowledge . Conclusions : The efficacy of mHealth on diabetes management was affected by gender . Specifically , men and women differ in their dietary self-efficacy , information sources , and desired topics in future mHealth interventions . To achieve maximal impact , future mHealth interventions should be mindful of this gender difference
There is potential for mHealth tools to better facilitate adherence to chronic disease management , but the evidence supporting its current effectiveness is mixed .
BACKGROUND Adherence to chronic disease management is critical to achieving improved health outcomes , quality of life , and cost-effective health care .
As the burden of chronic diseases continues to grow globally , so does the impact of non-adherence .
Mobile technologies are increasingly being used in health care and public health practice ( mHealth ) for patient communication , monitoring , and education , and to facilitate adherence to chronic diseases management .
OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effectiveness of mHealth in supporting the adherence of patients to chronic diseases management ( " mAdherence " ) , and the usability , feasibility , and acceptability of mAdherence tools and platforms in chronic disease management among patients and health care providers .