mROMA - An expert-based approach for the multidisciplinary rating of mHealth applications

In Germany, mHealth applications can be pre-scribed to patients since December 19, 2019. A meaningful taxonomy for the selection of a suitable mHealth application is not available in current mobile application stores. Additionally, the stores lack reliable content and quality controls. An adequate approach to determine the quality of mHealth applications has been missing since then. Presently, these facts prevent physicians from determining which mHealth applications are suitable for prescribing them to their patients. Following that, the question raises how existing technical approaches and regulations can be conjoined to provide a quality assured approach for the evaluation of mHealth applications. In this paper, we present mROMA, an expert-based approach for the multidisciplinary rating of mHealth applications. The mROMA system addresses the problems of undifferentiated mHealth taxonomies and proposes a solution for the differentiated classification of mHealth applications. In our research we start with an analysis of existing evaluation methods. Then a multidisciplinary calculated score based on content, usability, security, and law (denoted CUSL score) is presented, which can be used as a basis for the certification of mHealth applications with the mROMA certificate. The taxonomies and scores presented are then evaluated and a conclusion on the potential benefits of mROMA is drawn.