MYTH 2- Accreditation of apps – it’s a one-time thing!

Myth 2

Apps change all the time, that’s what they are meant to do – respond to user feedback, iterate and change. That’s why they are so great!

Apps start with the user and as these users provide feedback and request new functions or features, the app developer responds, its why the world of mhealth is so promising, they are agile!

So why is that we think a review or an accreditation of an app is a one-time thing where the review stays static, but the app changes……do we honestly think that will work?

I suppose we could ask developers to stop iterating and changing the app, but don’t we WANT apps to grow and respond to users with better functions, features and benefits?

Surely the review process must follow this agile route? To RESPOND to the market, WORK WITH the amazing market place of mhealth, and although changing our thinking can be difficult, its imperative if we are going to be able to really engage with and benefit from this growing opportunity.

The main challenge here is knowing whether an app has been updated, and asking the app developer to highlight them to the reviewer, is an unlikely scenario. App developers are busy, building, user testing, selling, growing a market presence, running a business, and normally with a limited resource. We need to help them get there, not create another job to do.

This wicked problem has been solved, we can help you know if apps have been updated on a weekly basis, and are keen to work with you today!

My plea to you is if you are thinking about reviewing, accrediting or endorsing apps please remember, the app WILL change, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse and if the review process takes a long time, by the time the review is completed, you will probably find its out of date, and the review is redundant ………..worse still another few thousand will have come onto the market and you haven’t noticed.

At ORCHA we start with the full market place each week, and we receive notifications to re-review any updated apps, it works and it means the information we provide people, patients and professionals with is fit for use. Read more on our About page

Please get in touch to learn more about how we keep abreast of the market place and how we could work with you today!