Medical Application Critical Appraisal

Name 

The name of the medical app selected for this critical appraisal is AIDSinfo.

Author 

AIDSinfo is an app developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and operates under the National Institute of Health (NIH), which is responsible for ensuring its overall functionality (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020). 

Endorsement 

The app has received an endorsement from the HHS, which is the developer.

Operation 

The app is suitable for both Android and iOS platforms, which are mobile-based platforms. That is because this is an app that provides vital information; hence, the need to ensure that every person can access it when needed.

Aesthetics 

The app is rather complex for an individual, who may not have in-depth knowledge of smartphone technology. The app displays information in a rather mixed-up manner, which becomes a challenge for anyone wanting to find necessary information. For individuals with smartphone knowledge, what is most notable is that the app is rather convenient considering that one can find relevant information. However, it would be somewhat challenging for persons wanting to use it without instructions considering that one must learn how to use the different links when finding information. Generally, the app is rather complex to use.

Purpose 

The envisioned purpose of the AIDSinfo app is to offer the latest information regarding HIV/AIDS practice guidelines, treatments and ongoing clinical trials, and other information relating to HIV/AIDS (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020). The app is not only intended for medical personnel, dealing with HIV/AIDS patients, but is also recommended for patients because it gives them insight into research on the disease. 

Clinical Decision Making 

Regarding its influence on clinical decision making, it can be argued that the app is likely to have significant influence, especially in defining the medical guidelines considered when dealing with HIV/AIDS patients. The app provides extensive information regarding medical practice guidelines associated with dealing with HIV/AIDS patients, which means that it is likely to determine the decisions that medical personnel make. For example, clicking on the guidelines brings a link regarding ARVs, which are is a pharmacological therapy used by HIV/AIDS patients. The app provides information about ARVs, how to initiate this therapy, safety consideration, and benefits associated with extensive use of ARVs ( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020 ). Such information is especially notable when health professionals make decisions on the best possible approaches to consider as they handle their patients.

Safety 

While considering that HHS has developed the app, it does not portend any underlying safety issues or challenges that would affect patients. Instead, the app has been designed in a manner focused on helping HIV/AIDS patients to improve their health regardless of the disease not having a known cure.

Privacy/Security 

The app has a privacy setting, which allows users to set any information that they would want to share to avoid instances where the information shared infringes on one's privacy. What is most notable about the app's privacy is that it includes a privacy policy, which indicates that the use "cookies" suggesting that the app can remember any information. The privacy policy outlines the information that the app collects, which includes personal information about the user, their IP address, and other websites associated with this app. Additionally, the privacy policy indicates that any personal information on the app will be deleted after 15 days, which acts as a clear indication of its approach to promoting security. Regarding information sharing, the privacy policy indicates that the app does not share any personal data with third parties to protect users. In case of a privacy breach, users will be notified.

User 

The app is not limited any to type of user considering that most of the information it provides would be relevant for different users. The app attracts health service provides, HIV/AIDS researchers, and patients suffering from this disease. However, any other person may download the app onto a smartphone without any limitations considering that it is free to download and access any information needed on HIV/AIDS.

Distribution 

The app has been developed for wider distribution whereby the nature of the information it provides is useful for different users. For example, an HIV/AIDS patient may use the app to find information on how to maintain healthy eating.

Credibility 

The app is credible considering that it was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which is the federal agency mandated with managing public health matters. Moreover, the information presented in the app has been verified by the National Institute of Health, which also helps define its credibility. 

Relevance 

Information presented on the app is currently considering that it is updated daily to ensure that users have access to credible and reliable information. The last updates to be made on the app was on August 12, 2020, which acts as an indication of its relevance in seeking to provide the necessary information (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020). All data provided in the app is in accordance with evidence-based literature, which has been evaluated by the NIH. The objective is to ensure that all information provided can be used as part of the health care setting to manage HIV/AIDS. 

Part 3 

Clinical Scenario 

A clinical scenario in which the app would be appropriate is when dealing with a newly infected HIV/AIDS patients above 18 years who need to be put on ARV therapy as a way of dealing with the disease. The app will be implemented at the point-of-care where the patients are seeking ARVs. The objective is to ensure that any medications that the patients are given would be safe and not likely to cause further harm to the body system ( Günthard et al., 2016 ). The app user, who will be a qualified medical professional, will input the patient’s information on the app, which will then provide information necessary before the initiation of this therapy. The app will be relevant in such cases because it will give information regarding the initiation of antiretroviral therapy while considering some of the contraindications. The potential impact of using the app is that it will help avert a situation where the patient has an adverse reaction to ARVs, which may have severe outcomes. 

References 

Günthard, H. F., Saag, M. S., Benson, C. A. … & del Rio, C. (2016). Antiretroviral drugs for treatment and prevention of HIV infection in adults. Journal of the American Medical Association, 316 (2): 191–210.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). AIDSinfo [Mobile App]. National Institute of Health . https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/