COPD apps

The use of mobile apps for people with COPD has the potential to encourage and improve self management of their condition. The team at Health Navigator sought to review patient focused apps for COPD. 

App	Features	Clinical score
Hailie app	Is an app that is used together with a smart inhaler device which has sensors that attach to your existing inhalers and record when your medication is taken Country of origin: New Zealand Requires a subscription One sensor plus app: $99.50 per year Two sensors plus app: $149.50 per year Read more about Hailie app	At current price If on sale
Excluded apps My COPD Team (MyHealthTeams) Couldn't successfully sign up, kept getting validation errors. This is a social networking app for people with COPD. It has a huge US focus. Many of the functions such as find others near you, treatments, provider directory etc is not useful to New Zealand users.

Have you come across any COPD apps that you've found helpful? Let us know - email sandra@healthnavigator.org.nz

COPD apps — desirable features

A recent study by Sobnath et al, 2017 found the following features to be important and desirable in a self management app or support tool for COPD .

• self-recognition and treatment of exacerbations
• smoking cessation advice and support
• medication/treatment adherence
• exercise and increased physical activities
• breathing techniques
• nutritional advice
• dyspnoea management
• reports, email and mobile short message service (SMS) and reminders
• guidelines
• symptoms tracking
• diary or calendar
• calculators for spirometry, body mass index (BMI), or tobacco consumption.

References

1. Gebara S1, Pierscionek B1, Vaes AW2, et al. Features of a Mobile Support App for Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Literature Review and Current Applications. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2017 Feb 20;5(2):e17.

Disclaimer: Health Navigator’s app library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

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