Identifying the Components of Mobile Value-Added Services in Health: A Qualitative Approach

Considering the widespread influence of mobile phones in life and its various features, it is necessary to use value-added services of mobile phones in the field of treatment and health. This study aimed to identify and categorize the factors affecting the use of mobile value-added services in the field of health.

This qualitative research was conducted using thematic analysis. A total of 74 articles were extracted from scientific databases. Next, 51 related articles were fully reviewed using thematic analysis method. After that, basic, organizing, and inclusive themes were extracted, and the model was implemented. Validity of the research was confirmed by experts according to the degree of connection between the components and the mobile value-added services model in the field of health. The reliability coefficient was 97%, which indicated a high reliability.

Based on the review and analysis of the articles, the final model consisted of 64 basic themes, 16 organizing themes (understanding benefits, understanding well-being, user values, customer outcomes, community outcomes, organizational outcomes, technology infrastructure, reducing fear of technology, learning and development, occupational factors, support and incentives, technical reliability, human reliability, risk reduction, attitude, and expectation), and six global themes (user understanding, effects and consequences, technology development, environmental influencing conditions, reliability, and mindset and expectations).

According to the factors identified in this research, policy makers and health managers can have the right planning for the use of mobile value-added services in the field of health.