Expertise Of Health Care Professionals Research Articles

Concerns beyond ankle symptoms predominate healthcare professionals’ views of patients with ankle osteoarthritis: A qualitative study

ObjectivesExplore healthcare professionals’ perspectives on the main problems that their patients with ankle osteoarthritis experience and to propose health-related domains. MethodsA qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with an international multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals identified as ankle experts. Eligibility criteria were aged ≥18 years, and a certified healthcare professional with ≥ 5-year experience post-qualification in working with ankle osteoarthritis and/or chronic ankle pain. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. ResultsTwenty-one healthcare professionals (20 males; mean (range) age 49 (34–72) years) from four professions (orthopaedic surgeons (n = 9), athletic trainers (n = 5), physiotherapists (n = 4) and podiatrists (n = 3)) were interviewed. Four main themes were identified: 1) people with ankle osteoarthritis have difficulty with weight-bearing activities; 2) symptoms of pain and stiffness predominate, alongside swelling, instability, weakness and poor balance; 3) chronic pain in ankle osteoarthritis has psychosocial consequences; and 4) the loss of activities of daily living and independence compromises quality of life. We proposed 15 health-related domains that emerge from the interview data. ConclusionHealthcare professionals recognise that ankle osteoarthritis patients have difficulty in physical, sporting, and occupational weight-bearing activities, and they live with persistent ankle pain, stiffness and other symptoms that have physical and psychosocial consequences. The health-related domains derived from interviews with expert healthcare professionals will contribute to the development of a core domain set for ankle osteoarthritis.

Organization of head and neck cancer rehabilitation care: a national survey among healthcare professionals in Dutch head and neck cancer centers

PurposeHead and neck cancer (HNC) treatment often leads to physical and psychosocial impairments. Rehabilitation can overcome these limitations and improve quality of life. The aim of this study is to obtain an overview of rehabilitation care for HNC, and to investigate factors influencing rehabilitation provision, in Dutch HNC centers, and to some extent compare it to other countries.MethodsAn online survey, covering five themes: organizational structure; rehabilitation interventions; financing; barriers and facilitators; satisfaction and future improvements, among HNC healthcare- and financial professionals of Dutch HNC centers.ResultsMost centers (86%) applied some type of rehabilitation care, with variations in organizational structure. A speech language therapist, physiotherapist and dietitian were available in all centers, but other rehabilitation healthcare professionals in less than 60%. Facilitators for providing rehabilitation services included availability of a contact person, and positive attitude, motivation, and expertise of healthcare professionals. Barriers were lack of reimbursement, and patient related barriers including comorbidity, travel (time), low health literacy, limited financial capacity, and poor motivation.ConclusionAlthough all HNC centers included offer rehabilitation services, there is substantial practice variation, both nationally and internationally. Factors influencing rehabilitation are related to the motivation and expertise of the treatment team, but also to reimbursement aspects and patient related factors. More research is needed to investigate the extent to which practice variation impacts individual patient outcomes and how to integrate HNC rehabilitation into routine clinical pathways.

<i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infection in hospital and community settings: summary document of a multidisciplinary group

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) affects the majority of hospital wards. In the context of a Continuing Medical Education Field Training course, a multidisciplinary group of expert healthcare professionals addressed the issue of CDI, producing a summary document to be submitted to the scientific community. The expert group was composed of healthcare professionals with an internal medicine background (Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Nephrology, Gastroenterology, Geriatrics) with the contribution of a Microbiologist for the laboratory diagnostic aspects. During the draft of the document, various aspects of the problem were evaluated and developed.

N27 Group meetings for adolescents with IBD: results of a survey on patients’ interests

Abstract Background The increase in both the incidence and prevalence of IBD, especially in people under 21 years of age1,2,3 outlines new issues to be considered in caring for these patients, like the psychosocial effects on both adolescents and their families, school absences, and developmental delay2. The need for better support to improve their HRQoL4, the embarrassment related to the disease, the anxiety about a sudden appearance of gut symptoms, frequent hospital admissions, and diet restrictions, can lead to social isolation5,6. Group meetings designed to make adolescents and young adults with IBD meet each other and with healthcare professionals (HCP) who are experts in IBD can create a safe environment in which to discuss fears, everyday problems and possible solutions, and any doubt about their condition. This could also provide support, suggestions, and opportunities to peer-compare, further promoting social relationships. This study investigated their willingness to participate in this experience and what they consider important to discuss. Methods A focus group involving HCP from a paediatric gastroenterology clinic and interviews with a sample of patients provided the basis on which a clear and easy-to-understand survey was developed concerning interest in the project, willingness to participate, topics to be discussed, and needs of peer relationship. The survey was then performed collecting anonymous data to avoid any kind of potential bias. Results Twenty-two patients aged 14 to 19 years completed the survey, showing their poor occasions of discussion about the disease and its related issues with other patients (54.5% of them do not know people with IBD) even if they can talk with their family, HCP and peers outside the hospital or outpatient clinic settings (tab 1). The willingness to participate in a group meeting is higher in the oldest subjects, and they show the highest interest in a peer relationship with patients of the same age and expert HCP. The topics considered more significant are 'nutrition' and 'mood' (described by almost two-thirds of patients) followed by ‘symptoms’ and ‘social life’ (fig 1). The best meeting schedule from the patient's point of view is every 6-8 weeks, with both in-person and virtual participation. Conclusion This study provides useful information on the feasibility and willingness of young patients with IBD to participate in such interventions. After the experimental application of group meetings, it will be mandatory to let patients provide feedback on this activity and to assess their effects on patients’ psychosocial well-being. References (DOI) 1 10.1016/j.crohns.2013.01.010 2 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.12.282 3 10.1016/j.gtc.2023.05.001 4 10.1093/ibd/izy041 5 10.1007/s10880-021-09778-0 6 10.1111/hsc.13755

The (im)possibility of being a breastfeeding working mother: experiences of Ecuadorian healthcare providers

BackgroundThroughout the twentieth century, public health agencies and expert healthcare professionals have recognized breastfeeding as the most nutritious and appropriate option for feeding infants. The Ecuadorian government, in line with international guidelines, has therefore developed laws and initiatives to improve the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding, especially among working mothers. However, breastfeeding rates in Ecuador are low.MethodsA qualitative methodology following social constructionist approaches was applied to explore the breastfeeding experiences of Ecuadorian women who are both mothers and healthcare professionals. Using snowball sampling, 60 healthcare professionals who breastfed their babies: 20 nurses, 20 physicians, and 20 nutritionists, took part in research interviews lasting between 30 and 92 minutes. All participants are currently offering telehealth or face-to-face consultation to their patients in Ecuador. Since Ecuador is a multicultural country, efforts were made to include participants from different regions of the country. Data gathering employed virtual semi-structured interviews including Photovoice. The interviews were carried out in Spanish, following a semi-structured topic guide. The data analysis employed constant comparative methods.ResultsThe analysis produced three overarching themes: Integrating breastfeeding in life and work; Establishing space for breastfeeding at work; Negotiations and tensions. The first theme: Integrating breastfeeding in life and work addresses participants' corporeal and emotional experiences when breastfeeding. This theme also includes the participants' experiences of how they integrated their maternal identity and adapted their breastfeeding bodies to their daily routines. The second theme: Establishing space for breastfeeding at work includes the challenges that some women encounter when incorporating and seeking to combine breastfeeding in their professional identities. The third theme: Negotiations and tensions covers how this group of female healthcare professionals had to negotiate the time and space to continue breastfeeding their children while working.

Exploring the Role of a Large Language Model on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Management: An Observation Study of ChatGPT

Recently, large language models, such as ChatGPT, have emerged as promising tools to facilitate scientific research and health care management. The present study aimed to explore the extent of knowledge possessed by ChatGPT concerning carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a compressive neuropathy that may lead to impaired hand function and that is frequently encountered in the field of hand surgery. Six questions pertaining to diagnosis and management of CTS were posed to ChatGPT. The responses were subsequently analyzed and evaluated based on their accuracy, coherence, and comprehensiveness. In addition, ChatGPT was requested to provide five high-level evidence references in support of its answers. A simulated doctor-patient consultation was also conducted to assess whether ChatGPT could offer safe medical advice. ChatGPT supplied clinically relevant information regarding CTS, although at a relatively superficial level. In the context of doctor-patient interaction, ChatGPT suggested a diagnostic pathway that deviated from the widely accepted clinical consensus on CTS diagnosis. Nevertheless, it incorporated differential diagnoses and valuable management options for CTS. Although ChatGPT demonstrated the ability to retain and recall information from previous patient conversations, it infrequently produced pertinent references, many of which were either nonexistent or incorrect. ChatGPT displayed the capability to deliver validated medical information on CTS to nonmedical individuals. However, the generation of nonexistent and inaccurate references by ChatGPT presents a challenge to academic integrity. To increase their utility in medicine and academia, large language models must go through specialized reputable data set training and validation from experts. It is essential to note that at present, large language models cannot replace the expertise of health care professionals and may act as a supportive tool.

Framework and Schema are False Synonyms: Defining Terms to Improve Learning.

Clinical reasoning is an essential expertise of health care professionals that includes the complex cognitive processes that lead to diagnosis and management decisions. In order to optimally teach, learn, and assess clinical reasoning, it is imperative for teachers and learners to have a shared understanding of the language. Currently, educators use the terms schema and framework interchangeably but they are distinct concepts. In this paper, we offer definitions for schema and framework and use the high-stakes field of aviation to demonstrate the interplay of these concepts. We offer examples of framework and schema in the medical education field and discuss how a clear understanding of these concepts allows for greater intentionality when teaching and assessing clinical reasoning.

The prevalence and intensity of late effects in patients with testicular germ cell tumors: A first step of instrument development using a stepwise approach

Patients with Testicular Germ Cell Tumors (TGCT) may suffer from several late effects due to their diagnosis or treatment. Follow-up care aims to identify the recurrence of cancer and support patients with TGCT in their experienced late effects. In the Netherlands, the validated Dutch version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, Utrecht Symptom Diary (USD) is used to assess and monitor patient reported symptoms. As a first step to develop a specific USD module for TGCT-patients, it was necessary to identify the prevalence and intensity of late effects in patients with TGCT, covering the physical, social, psychical and existential domains of care. A cross-sectional study was conducted. First, literature was systematically assessed to create a comprehensive list of symptoms. This generated list was reviewed by expert healthcare professionals and the research group. Lastly, a survey was distributed amongst patients with TGCT in follow-up care in the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU) outpatient clinic. In total, 65 TGCT-patients completed the survey. All described late effects were recognized by TGCT-patients, with 'fatigue', 'disturbed overall well-being', 'concentration problems' and 'neuropathy', indicated as most prevalent and scored with highest intensity. When prioritizing these late effects, patients assigned 'neuropathy' as most important. This study provided insight into prevalence and intensity of late effects, as indicated by TGCT-patients. In clinical practice, follow-up care can improve by empowering patients to discuss important items in daily life with their health-care professionals.

A glycemic diet improves the understanding of glycemic control in diabetes patients during their follow-up.

A glycemic diet improves the understanding of glycemic control in diabetes patients during their follow-up.

Profiling the knowledge of female medical/para-medical students, and expertise of health care professionals on female genital schistosomiasis in Anambra, South Eastern Nigeria.

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a largely neglected tropical disease (NTD), with little or no attention in the primary health care unit. Towards building momentum to address this challenge, we investigated the perception of medical and para-medical students about FGS, as well as the expertise of health care professionals in Anambra State, Nigeria. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 587 female medical and para-medical university students (MPMS), and 65 health care professionals (HCPs) saddled with the responsibility of delivering care for schistosomiasis-affected persons. Pretested questionnaires were administered to document the awareness and knowledge about the disease. In addition, the expertise of HCPs vis-à-vis suspicion of FGS and management of FGS patients during routine health care service were documented. Data were subjected to descriptive, chi-square tests and regression analysis in R software. Over half of the students recruited; 54.2% for schistosomiasis and 58.1% for FGS, were not aware of the disease. Knowledge about schistosomiasis was associated with student's year of study, with those in 2nd (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.0, 2.7), 4th (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.2), and 6th (OR: 5.05, 95% CI: 1.2, 34.2) year having higher likelihoods of been more informed about schistosomiasis. For HCPs, we observed a contrastingly high knowledge about schistosomiasis (96.9%), but low knowledge about FGS (61.9%). Knowledge for both schistosomiasis and FGS was not associated with year of practice and expertise (95% OR included 1, p > 0.05). A considerable proportion (>40%) of the HCPs never suspected schistosomiasis during routine clinical diagnosis of patients who presented probable FGS symptoms (p < 0.05). Similarly, only 20% were certain about the use of praziquantel for treating FGS, and about 35% were uncertain of the eligibility criteria and dosage regimens. Commodities for managing FGS were also largely unavailable in about 39% of the health facilities where the HCPs operate. Awareness and knowledge about FGS among MPMS and HCPs were poor in Anambra, Nigeria. It is therefore important to invest in innovative methods of building capacity of MPMS and HCPs, with complementary provision of necessary diagnostics to perform colposcopy, as well as competence to diagnose pathognomonic lesions using diagnostic atlas or Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The angels and heroes of health care: Justified and appropriate, or harmful and destructive?

The angels and heroes of health care: Justified and appropriate, or harmful and destructive?

What do I need to know? Essential educational concepts for complex regional pain syndrome.

BackgroundComplex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a rare but disabling pain condition. Accurate and timely education about CRPS is key to promote optimal clinical outcomes, but it is unclear what the content of that education should be. We aimed to determine the content that both people with CRPS and expert health care professionals (HCPs) reported as important.MethodsAn international three‐round e‐Delphi was conducted, recruiting adults diagnosed with CRPS and HCPs. In Round 1, participants were asked to list the most important information people with CRPS should know regarding the condition. Data were organized into concepts and allocated to themes. In Rounds 2 and 3, participants rated each concept on a 9‐point Likert Scale, categorized as ‘not important’ (0–3), ‘important’ (4–6) and ‘very important’ (7–9). A concept attained consensus when ≥75% agreement was reached within a category.ResultsSixty‐two participants (HCPs: n = 7; CRPS: n = 55) proposed 193 concepts in Round 1, resulting in 22 themes. Fifteen additional concepts were identified in Round 2, resulting in a total of 208 concepts. From that list, 48 concepts that emphasized understanding and evidence‐based management of the disorder, the importance of self‐management strategies, pacing and movement, reached joint consensus as ‘very important’. One concept: ‘Advise that movement does not help’ reached joint consensus as ‘not important’.ConclusionForty‐eight concepts were jointly considered ‘very important’ for future CRPS‐related educational content. Future research to better understand group differences and to canvas a broader HCP group is warranted.SignificanceThis e‐Delphi study identified the 48 core concepts that those with the lived experience of CRPS, and advanced practitioner health care professionals jointly rated as ‘very important’ to include in fundamental and accessible educational material.

Family caregivers’ perceptions and experiences of participating in the learning skills together intervention to build self-efficacy for providing complex care

The purpose of this study was to describe how an intervention to teach family caregivers of persons living with dementia to provide complex care tasks contributes to their self-efficacy. This qualitative study was embedded in a pilot study evaluating the intervention. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 caregivers who had completed the intervention. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. Themes identified from the interviews were: “helpfulness of the content”, “if they can do it, so can I”, and “applying what I have learned”. Caregivers described the helpfulness of learning from expert healthcare professionals in a supportive environment. They valued the group setting, including interacting with and learning from their peers. Caregivers demonstrated mastery of the content by applying it to their caregiving situations and sharing information with other family members. These findings provide insights into successful elements in a complex care intervention that contributed to building caregiver self-efficacy.

Dietary Interventions to Treat Type 2 Diabetes in Adults with a Goal of Remission: An Expert Consensus Statement from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

The objective of this Expert Consensus Statement is to assist clinicians in achieving remission of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults using diet as a primary intervention. Evidence-informed statements agreed upon by a multi-disciplinary panel of expert healthcare professionals were used. Panel members with expertise in diabetes treatment, research, and remission followed an established methodology for developing consensus statements using a modified Delphi process. A search strategist systematically reviewed the literature, and the best available evidence was used to compose statements regarding dietary interventions in adults 18 years and older diagnosed with T2D. Topics with significant practice variation and those that would result in remission of T2D were prioritized. Using an iterative, online process, panel members expressed levels of agreement with the statements, resulting in classification as consensus, near-consensus, or non-consensus based on mean responses and the number of outliers. The expert panel identified 131 candidate consensus statements that focused on addressing the following high-yield topics: (1) definitions and basic concepts; (2) diet and remission of T2D; (3) dietary specifics and types of diets; (4) adjuvant and alternative interventions; (5) support, monitoring, and adherence to therapy; (6) weight loss; and (7) payment and policy. After 4 iterations of the Delphi survey and removal of duplicative statements, 69 statements met the criteria for consensus, 5 were designated as near consensus, and 60 were designated as no consensus. In addition, the consensus was reached on the following key issues: (a) Remission of T2D should be defined as HbA1c <6.5% for at least 3 months with no surgery, devices, or active pharmacologic therapy for the specific purpose of lowering blood glucose; (b) diet as a primary intervention for T2D can achieve remission in many adults with T2D and is related to the intensity of the intervention; and (c) diet as a primary intervention for T2D is most effective in achieving remission when emphasizing whole, plant-based foods with minimal consumption of meat and other animal products. Many additional statements that achieved consensus are highlighted in a tabular presentation in the manuscript and elaborated upon in the discussion section. Expert consensus was achieved for 69 statements pertaining to diet and remission of T2D, dietary specifics and types of diets, adjuvant and alternative interventions, support, monitoring, adherence to therapy, weight loss, and payment and policy. Clinicians can use these statements to improve quality of care, inform policy and protocols, and identify areas of uncertainty.

Developing Clinical and Research Priorities for Pain and Psychological Features in People With Patellofemoral Pain: An International Consensus Process With Health Care Professionals.

To decide clinical and research priorities on pain features and psychological factors in persons with patellofemoral pain. Consensus development process. We undertook a 3-stage process consisting of (1) updating 2 systematic reviews on quantitative sensory testing of pain features and psychological factors in patellofemoral pain, (2) an online survey of health care professionals and persons with patellofemoral pain, and (3) a consensus meeting with expert health care professionals. Participants responded that they agreed, disagreed, or were unsure that a pain feature or psychological factor was important in clinical practice or as a research priority. Greater than 70% participant agreement was required for an item to be considered important in clinical practice or a research priority. Thirty-five health care professionals completed the survey, 20 of whom attended the consensus meeting. Thirty persons with patellofemoral pain also completed the survey. The review identified 5 pain features and 9 psychological factors-none reached 70% agreement in the patient survey, so all were considered at the meeting. After the meeting, pain catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, and pain self-efficacy were the only factors considered clinically important. All but the thermal pain tests and 3 psychological factors were considered research priorities. Pain catastrophizing, pain self-efficacy, and fear-avoidance beliefs were factors considered important in treatment planning, clinical examination, and prognostication. Quantitative sensory tests for pain were not regarded as clinically important but were deemed to be research priorities, as were most psychological factors. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022;52(1):29-39. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.10647.

Ethical issues in public health communication: Practical suggestions from a qualitative study on campaigns about organ donation in Switzerland

ObjectivesIn Switzerland, in spite of a positive attitude towards organ donation, the population seems to overlook the public health messages about it. Based on a qualitative study on campaigns about organ donation, the article aims to give practical suggestions to prevent undesirable effects in public health communication. MethodsThe study provides a linguistic analysis of the messages about organ donation produced by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health. Such a method enables us to understand who communicates what, to whom, how and what for, and gives us empirical data to discuss ethical concerns in relation to the effects of public health messages. ResultsThe analysis shows that the messages, apart from those relying on the expertise of healthcare professionals, are based on the representation of lay persons. The latter strategy generates the depiction of imagined communities. ConclusionsBeyond the usual concerns relating to organ donation (e.g., consent, altruism), the analysis of FOPH messages indicates that ethical issues in public health communication are grounded on three relational dimensions (intersubjectivity, cooperation and equity). Practice implicationsA procedure assessing the ethical concerns of public health communication in terms of social identities and relational consequences could identify and prevent problems relating to the undesirable effects of messages. Availability of data and materialsThe datasets used and analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request

Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Methods to Detect Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) is a lifelong health hazard that can cause the failure of kidneys. Symptoms of this develop slowly and are not obvious. Early detection of Chronic Kidney Disease can lead to significant progress in finding the cure for this disease. Through this study, we aim to employ ML techniques for the prediction and diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease. The findings obtained from our predictive analysis combined with the expertise of healthcare professionals can help in making an accurate prognosis. For this, we have used a dataset containing data from 400 individuals acquired from the University of California Irvine (UCI) repository. Various feature selection techniques have been used to optimize the number of features affecting Chronic Kidney Disease. Subsequently, these desirable features are chosen and used in different ML models and their accuracy, sensitivity is compared. Multiple Machine learning algorithms have been explored such as Logistic Regression, Naïve Bayes, KNN, SVM, Decision Trees, Random Forest Classifier, and Extra Trees Classifier. It was concluded that Decision Trees using information gain gave six optimal features and the Extra Trees Classifier model gives the best accuracy of 99.36 % with Extra Trees Classifier having one of the least execution times.

Facing a blind alley - Experiences of stress-related exhaustion: a qualitative study

IntroductionMental illness is a major concern in many countries. In Sweden, stress-related mental illness is currently the most frequent reason for sick leave.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore patients’ experiences of...

User Experiences With and Recommendations for Mobile Health Technology for Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: Mixed Methods Study.

BackgroundHypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a primary cause of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes worldwide. For women at risk of hypertensive complications, guidelines recommend frequent surveillance of blood pressure and signs of preeclampsia. Clinic visits range from every 2 weeks to several times a week. Given the wide ubiquity of smartphones and computers in most countries and a growing attention for self-management, digital technologies, including mobile health (mHealth), constitute a promising component of monitoring (self-measured) blood pressure during pregnancy. Currently, little is known about the experiences of women using such platforms and how mHealth can be aligned with their needs and preferences.ObjectiveThe objectives were twofold: (1) to explore the experiences of Dutch women who had an increased risk of HDP with a blended care approach (mHealth combined with face-to-face care) for remote self-monitoring of blood pressure and preeclampsia symptoms and (2) to formulate recommendations for the use and integration of mHealth in clinical care.MethodsAlongside a prospective blended care study (SAFE@home study) that monitors pregnant women at increased risk of HPD with mHealth technology, a mixed methods study was conducted, including questionnaires (n=52) and interviews (n=11). Results were analyzed thematically.ResultsOf the 4 themes, 2 themes were related to the technologies themselves (expectations, usability), and 2 themes were related to the interaction and use of mHealth (autonomy and responsibilities of patients, responsibilities of health care professionals). First, the digital platform met the expectations of patients, which contributed to user satisfaction. Second, the platform was considered user-friendly, and patients favored different moments and frequencies for measuring their blood pressure. Third, patient autonomy was mentioned in terms of increased insight about their own condition and being able to influence clinical decision making. Fourth, clinical expertise of health care professionals was considered essential to interpret the data, which translates to subsequent responsibilities for clinical management. Data from the questionnaires and interviews corresponded.ConclusionsBlended care using an mHealth tool to monitor blood pressure in pregnancy was positively evaluated by its users. Insights from participants led to 7 recommendations for designing and implementing similar interventions and to enhance future, morally sound use of digital technologies in clinical care.

Mobile Applications (Apps) to Support the Hepatitis C Treatment: A Systematic Search in App Stores.

The purpose of this review was to identify apps to support the HCV treatment and perform a quality assessment. A comprehensive search was conducted until February 2020 in Apple App Store (iOs) and Google Play Store (Android) using search term such "hepatitis", "hepatology", and "HCV". Two independent authors identified the apps and performed data extraction and quality assessment using Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). Spearman's correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationships between user's star ratings found in the app stores and quality app defined by the MARS instrument. A total of 316 potential apps were identified, of which 12 apps fully met the eligibility criteria. Most apps were available in both App Stores and developed by commercial developers for healthcare provider. Almost all of apps were updated within the last two year and received 3.7 or above star ratings from users. Overall, only one app was considered with a good quality. The average scores for objective and subjective MARS quality of these apps were 3.54 (SD = 0.65) and 3.27 (SD = 0.76), respectively. Moreover, a majority of apps received objective scores between 3.29 and 4.37/5. However, MARS items such "interactivity", "visual appeal", "quality information", and "credibility" obtained minimum acceptable scores. MARS scores were not significantly correlation the user's star ratings. This systematic search found gaps in apps to support the HCV treatment; 12 apps were identified in this study and only one app achieved a good quality. There is a need that users use these apps cautiously as well as involve expert healthcare professionals in the development of new HCV apps.