Mobile Health-Care Management in Developing Countries: Perspectives of Iranian female patients on a mobile Health App

Abstract: The objective of this research is to assess the attitudes and preferences of Iranian female patients regarding various functionalities a mobile app should play on increasing their health literacy, adherence to medication and improving their self-care management. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study collected data from 460 female patients visited private clinics in Tehran. The respondents were selected randomly. The data collection tool is a questionnaire designed by the authors. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. This research shows the high willingness of Iranian female patients to using mobile apps for increasing their health literacy, to access and store their medical records, set appointments, and receive and pay their medical bills. The patients expressed little tendency to use mobile apps for accessing online reviews, and having virtual visits and consultation with their physicians. In general, they have medium trust to mobile apps, and they prefer to use mobile apps developed and run by a clinic or hospital and not a third party. In regard to methods a mobile app can increase their adherence to medication, the patients prefer receiving information on their diets and diseases over receiving alerts to take medication.