Purpose
Threaded discussions are interactive assignments that require current scholarly literature to support and validate information presented. The purpose of the threaded discussion (TD) is to engage with the class instructor and peers to apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate course-related concepts and topics, to facilitate achievement of course learning outcomes. Participation in the TDs generates opportunities for students to actively engage in the written ideas of others by carefully reading, researching, reflecting, and responding to the contributions of their peers and course faculty. TDs foster the development of members into a community of learners as they share ideas and inquiries and integrate knowledge from other disciplines. Written interactions on the discussion show respect and sensitivity to peers’ gender, cultural and linguistic background, sexual orientation, political and religious beliefs.
Each threaded discussion requires interaction with peers and/or the instructor, with active engagement in the TD on at least 2 separate days of the assigned week.
Course Outcomes
This discussion enables the student to meet the following course outcomes:
CO 1: Examine the role of information and communication technologies in promoting information literacy and healthcare outcomes across diverse healthcare settings. (POs 1, 5)
CO 2: Evaluate evidence-based practices related to information use and management, technology selection, communication, and resource allocation. (POs 1, 5)
CO 3: Appraise ethical, legal, regulatory, and professional standards for using information and communication technologies. (POs 3, 4)
CO 4: Apply advocacy for the use of communication technologies to improve patient/population health literacy. (PO 5)
CO 5: Develop professional competencies in information and communication technologies to advance healthcare outcomes and equity. (PO 5)
Preparing the Discussion
Follow these guidelines when completing each component of the discussion. Contact your course faculty if you have questions.
Mobile health, also known as mHealth, is the secure use of mobile digital wireless technologies to support health. Awareness and skillful use of mHealth applications (apps) are key to advancing health outcomes.
Use the table below to identify the mHealth app for this assignment based on your birth month.
Your Birth Month mHealth app for Assignment
January, February MDCalc
March, April, May Medscape
June, July, August The Chief Complaint
September, October Pocket Pharmacist
November, December SingleCare
Use the Google Play Store for Android devices or the Apple iTunes App Store for Apple devices to search for the assigned medical application in the table above.
Download the app to a mobile device (smartphone or tablet). The apps are free and do not require purchase to complete this assignment.
Initial Post
Answer all questions/criteria with explanations and detail.
Name of the app: Identify the name of the app.
Author: Describe who created, developed, or maintains the app.
Endorsement: Identify whether the app is licensed by the Food and Drug Administration, another government agency, or endorsed by an academic institution or medical professional organization. Discuss the implications (or lack) of endorsement.
Aesthetics: Discuss whether the information is displayed in a way that is easy to navigate. Is it easy to use? Can you use it without instructions? Explain.
Purpose: Describe the intended purpose or use of the app.
Clinical decision-making: Discuss the influence of the app on clinical decision-making.
Safety: is there potential for client harm? Explain.
Privacy/security: Identify if the app has a privacy statement or setting. Is there a clear privacy policy stating information will be encrypted and not shared with third parties? Does the app share information on social networks? Are users notified in the event of a breach of privacy and health information? Explain.
User: Explain for whom is the app intended (providers, clients, or others).
Credibility: Discuss the credibility of the sources of information and how credibility is verified.
Relevance: Discuss how current the information is in the app. When was the last update? Is the content consistent with evidence-based literature or best practices/standards of care? Explain.
