Understanding the perspectives and needs of multiple stakeholders: Identifying key elements of a digital health intervention to protect against environmental hazards.

Abstract

AirRater is a free environmental health smartphone app developed and available in Australia that collects individual health data and disseminates environmental hazard information to populations. Following previous evaluations with app users, the aim of this study was to better understand how clinicians, government agency and non-government advocacy group representatives perceive an app designed to reduce the impacts of environmental hazards on individual and public health. Nine government agency and non-government advocacy group representatives, along with 11 clinicians based in Australia participated in a semi-structured interview or focus group to explore perspectives on AirRater. Interview and focus group data were transcribed and analysed using the qualitative data analysis software NVivo. Results indicate that for clinicians, apps like AirRater can add value as an educational, patient self-management and diagnostic tool. For government and peak bodies, apps can add value by addressing environmental health literacy and monitoring and forecasting gaps, as well as supporting advocacy efforts and public health surveillance. We conclude that environmental health smartphone apps can support a range of stakeholders to achieve shared goals and priorities related to individual and public health outcomes. Further research is needed to better understand how apps could be embedded into clinical practice and policy settings.