Structured Abstract

Contents

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Key Informants
• Peer Reviewers
• Executive Summary
  • Main Points
  • Background and Purpose
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Strengths and Limitations
  • Implications and Conclusions
• Introduction
  • Background
  • Objectives of This Technical Brief
  • Guiding Questions
• Methods
  • Identification and Abstraction of Existing Frameworks
  • Identification of Gaps
  • Development of the New Framework
  • Refinement of the New Framework
  • Peer Review and Public Commentary
• Findings
  • Gaps in Existing Frameworks
  • Results From Key Informant Interviews
  • Testing and Refinement of the Framework During Pre-Pilot and Pilot Rounds
  • Summary of Changes Made to the Framework During Pilot Testing Rounds
  • Overview of the FASTER to Mental Health and Wellness Framework
• Summary and Implications
  • Next Steps
• References
• Appendixes
  • Appendix A. List of Existing Frameworks
  • Appendix B. Framework Criteria
  • Appendix C. Modifications in uMARS Questions
  • Appendix D. Pilot Rounds Results
  • Appendix E. Framework Training Guide: Framework to Assist Stakeholders in Technology Evaluation for Recovery (FASTER) to Mental Health and Wellness Framework Assessment
  • Appendix F. Framework
  • Appendix G. Framework Assessment Examples

Suggested citation:

Agarwal S, Jalan M, Wilcox HC, Sharma R, Hill R, Pantalone E, Thrul J, Rainey JC, Robinson KA. Evaluation of Mental Health Mobile Applications. Technical Brief 41. (Prepared by the Johns Hopkins University Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 75Q80120D00003.) AHRQ Publication No. 22-EHC016. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; May 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23970/AHRQEPCTB41. Posted final reports are located on the Effective Health Care Program search page.

This report is based on research conducted by the Johns Hopkins University Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) under contract to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Rockville, MD (Contract No. 75Q80120D00003). The findings and conclusions in this document are those of the authors, who are responsible for its contents; the findings and conclusions do not necessarily represent the views of AHRQ. Therefore, no statement in this report should be construed as an official position of AHRQ or of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

None of the investigators have any affiliations or financial involvement that conflicts with the material presented in this report.

The information in this report is intended to help healthcare decisionmakers—patients and clinicians, health system leaders, and policymakers, among others—make well-informed decisions and thereby improve the quality of healthcare services. This report is not intended to be a substitute for the application of clinical judgment. Anyone who makes decisions concerning the provision of clinical care should consider this report in the same way as any medical reference and in conjunction with all other pertinent information, i.e., in the context of available resources and circumstances presented by individual patients.

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AHRQ or U.S. Department of Health and Human Services endorsement of any derivative products that may be developed from this report, such as clinical practice guidelines, other quality enhancement tools, or reimbursement or coverage policies, may not be stated or implied.

AHRQ appreciates appropriate acknowledgment and citation of its work. Suggested language for acknowledgment: This work was based on an evidence report, Evaluation of Mental Health Mobile Applications, by the Evidence-based Practice Center Program at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).