Facilitators and Barriers to Using mHealth from Users’ Attitudes: A Qualitative Meta-synthesis

Regarding demographic, socio-economic differences, and some other infrastructural factors, there are concerns about the access to and use of mobile health technology. This study aims to identify the facilitators and barriers to the use of mobile health from the perspective of users.

In this qualitative meta-synthesis, electronic databases were systematically searched. Studies included qualitative investigations published by 30th of December 2020 that examined the facilitators or barriers to using mobile health from the users’ point of view. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist was used to evaluate the quality of each study. A steady comparison process has been used to identify similar structures in several studies that have been summarized in thematic constructs.

Six factors were identified as barriers and seven factors as facilitators. Barriers included difficulty in use, inaccessibility, uselessness or inapplicability, lack of adequate skills, communication barriers, and security concerns; facilitating factors included motivational factors, documentation, degree of ease, provider credibility and source of information, perceived usability, social-cultural appropriateness, and perceived benefits.

The findings of this study provide a good basis for information and communication technology practitioners as well as health care services to improve access to and use of mobile health technology by adopting appropriate policies for infrastructure development and social empowerment. Further research focusing on technological, demographic, and geriatrics aspects is suggested.