Background: Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) support patient education, enhance self-efficacy, and facilitate the management of chronic diseases. Despite nurses' vital role in caring for patients with or at risk of chronic conditions, studies on their use of mHealth apps remain relatively limited.
Objective: This study aimed to explore the use of mHealth apps by nurses to support adults with or at risk of chronic conditions and to understand the factors influencing the adoption of this technology.
Methods: A national online cross-sectional survey was conducted with Australian nurses who care for adults with or at risk of chronic conditions. Participants were recruited via social media and professional nursing organisations. The survey tool was developed by the investigators, drawing on previous literature and expert knowledge.
Results: Out of 158 responses, more than two-thirds (n=108, 68.4%) of respondents indicated that they personally used at least one mHealth app. Logistic regression showed that performance expectancy (p=0.04), facilitating conditions (p=0.05), and personal use of mHealth apps (p=0.05) were significantly correlated with the recommendation of these apps. Conversely, effort expectancy (p=0.09) and social influence (p=0.46) did not significantly impact whether respondents recommended mHealth apps to their patients. The main barriers to recommending mHealth apps included the inability to assess app quality and the lack of access to mobile devices or the Internet.
Conclusions: While nurses personally utilise mHealth apps, there is an opportunity to enhance their clinical application. Given the reported challenges in identifying and assessing mHealth apps, regulating these applications and providing appropriate training for nurses will enable them to integrate mHealth apps more effectively.