P-554 Examination of Mobile Applications Specific to Infertile Couples Through the “APPLICATIONS” Scoring System in Holistic and Utility Perspectives
Authors: Yanık F , Aluş Tokat M 
Published: June 2023

Study question

Does mobile applications (apps) developed for infertile couples have a holistic and utility characteristic?

Summary answer

Many mobil apps developed in the field of fertility have limited features and very few relevant, understandable, and holistic apps were present for infertile individuals.

What is known already

In an increasingly technological world, mobile apps offer promising alternatives to support couples’ fertility treatment. Infertile couples can use these apps with aim to manage lifestyle, learn about fertility, follow clinical appointments, receive psychological support, or to seek peer support. For increasing efficiency of this applications, holistic approach should be considered. Human is a whole with biological, physiological, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions and in fertility treatment process all dimensions are highly crucial. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility and holistic perspectives of apps developed for infertile couples by using “APPLICATIONS” mobile app scoring system.

Study design, size, duration

The study was a systematic evaluation of apps related to fertility and it was conducted via mobile applications platform. To determine relevant apps search was conducted on Google Play and Apple App Store by using “infertility”, “fertility”, “in vitro fertilization”, “IVF”, “sterility” and “fecundity” key words.The search was conducted twice in 1-year intervals, in February 2021 and March 2022. In total from 1917 reached apps; 1841 apps were excluded, and 76 eligible app were evaluated.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Mobile apps were independently evaluated by two authors via using APPLICATIONS scoring system. The APPLICATIONS scoring system consists objective criteria such as comprehensiveness (holistic approach), fee, subscription, use of evidence-based information, purchasing, connection, advertising, text search area, interplatform suitability, use of images/shapes or videos, and app-specific features are objective scoring criteria and subjective criteria for instance subjective presentation and ease of navigation in the app. Consequently the maximum score of APPLICATIONS scoring system is 17.

Main results and the role of chance

The study reached 1917 applications from the search with its keywords. Seventy-six mobile applications meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed according to the “APPLICATIONS” scoring system. Of the 76 applications in the analysis, 18 were available only in the Apple App Store (23%), 28 were available only in the Google Play Store (36%), and 30 were available on both platforms (41%). Among analyzed app, we determined that one app received 16 points out of maximum 17 points, and two apps received 15 points each. Also, the lowest scoring app earned 4 points. According to overall composite scores, evaluable apps in our study showed scores in the middle range of possible scores with an average score of 9 out of 17, indicating insufficient quality in mobile apps. Besides that, only six apps (%7.8) meet all holistic comprehensiveness criteria and received full scores. Of 76 mobile applications, 31.5% were developed by a healthcare professional, 31.5% by a software company, and 38% by an unknown entity. In addition, 48% of the applications evaluated were specific to infertile couples, 45% were specific to infertile women, and 7% were specific to infertile men.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Because of the nature of the digital environment, mobile apps are in a continuously changing and rapidly developing internet environment, and currently, newly developed mobile apps were not present in the analysis. This was the limitation of our study.

Wider implications of the findings

Using mobile health apps can help infertile couples to improve treatment outcomes. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the widespread use of apps and correct the faulty practice recommendations that patients may encounter, and couples should be guided to the correct practices.

Trial registration number

not applicable