Here at ORCHA, we’re continuously testing and questioning apps, on the lookout for apps which are safe, secure, easy to use and, most importantly, deliver real health outcomes. We now look at 226 elements, to help give health professionals and consumers an informed choice on which health apps to choose.

To help app developers produce the best apps, we’re sharing tips from across the 226 important aspects, which together may help to set your app apart from the rest!

Tip #3: How to personalise an app experience with notifications

Staying up to date with the latest app regulations and standards is essential for app developers.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) Evidence Standards Framework for Digital Health Technologies shows the value of digital health technologies in the UK health and care system by requiring apps to provide evidence of their effectiveness.

Due to the rapid development of digital health technologies, these standards require apps to demonstrate a high level of clinical effectiveness. According to Public Health England, this includes providing evidence that an app improves outcomes for patients and users, provides value for money, meets user needs, as well as that it is stable and simple to use, and that people actually use it.

There are a number of key points to consider when incorporating NICE’s Evidence Standards Framework into app development:

• How the framework defines risk: Within NICE’s Framework, digital health technologies can be classified by their potential risk. Risk to service users is defined as the chance of harm coming to the service user from using the digital health technology, including health and wellbeing consequences if there is not good quality care provided by the technology. Economic risk is defined as the chance of harm coming to the commissioning organisation from the digital health technology, including commissioning a technology that needs services to be redesigned.

• Functional classification for technologies with more than 1 function: The highest risk function of digital health technologies should be used to define its functional classification. For example, providing treatment would be the highest risk function in an app that provides information on and treatment of a condition.

• Health/fitness trackers and other similar apps: The framework applies to digital health technologies being considered for commissioning within the UK health and care system, including health/fitness trackers and other similar apps. In this sense, the framework can be applied to apps for use by the wider public, as well as those that cater to specific health and care needs.

Click here to read NICE’s full Evidence Standards Framework for Digital Health Technologies.

Click here to access the NICE user guide.

Here at ORCHA, we’re continuously testing and questioning apps, on the lookout for apps which are safe, secure, easy to use and, most importantly, deliver real health outcomes. We look at 180 elements, to help give health professionals and consumers an informed choice on which health apps to choose.

To help app developers produce the best apps, we’re sharing tips from across the 180 important aspects, which together may help to set your app apart from the rest!

Tip #74: Improve your Presentation

Taken from measure 74 out of 180. Whilst reviewing apps we’re instantly drawn to the layout, not only how it appears on the surface but just how adaptable the features can be. During the initial set-up there are several things as an app developer you can do to aid to the process for those who may require additional support.

Taking poor sight as an example, you may wish to introduce different text sizes, font colours, and customised themes/backgrounds. Similarly, the implementation of voiceover functions, volume adjustments, subtitles, or integration of text to speech functionality, will be beneficial to individuals with hearing difficulties. #UnlockingThePowerOfDigitalHealth

Great example apps to be inspired by include:

This short guide of top tips from ORCHA helps to identify some of the key areas to consider when developing or looking to improve apps, helping you navigate your way to making your app one of the best on the market.