Librarian reviewers from Saskatchewan Health Authority and Alberta Health Services consider the audience and purpose of the apps, as well as highlighting additional features:
Our complete grading criteria is embedded in the review.
Note: Reviewers are not healthcare professionals and don't appraise the quality of any recommendations within the app. Reviews are not meant as endorsements.
Via Therapy |
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Image Source: Via Therapy, Apple App Store. Retrieved on June 11, 2020 from: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/viatherapy/id1108116302
Stated Purpose
This VIAtherapy app recommends recovery interventions for patients with upper extremity stroke rehabilitation needs. It’s an algorithmic approach that applies evidence for best practice in rehab treatment.
Features
On the homepage in the app.
Screenshots
Specialties/Disciplines
Physiatry, Neurology, and Physical & Occupational Therapy
Physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians)
Neurologists
Physical therapists
Occupational therapists
Notes
Part 1: Editorial committee, content updates, and evidence grading
The contributors’ names and affiliations are listed on ViaTherapy’s website in “international panel”. The contributors’ contact information is not provided.
No conflict of interest statement, or update frequency is provided.
There is a disclaimer in the app and users need to accept it each time when using the app.
The rating scale used in the case of this app for this section does not capture the usefulness of this app in a clinical setting. A quality improvement report provides more info on its clinical usefulness: https://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/8/3/e000592
Part 2: Source and authorship information for 3 entries
n/a
Organization of information
Information is organized in an easy to follow manner, the flow of the screening questions winnows down the exercise choices for the practitioner, in a way that hopefully makes sense to the intended audience
Navigation
Little navigation
Extras
User Account required: No
Internet connection required for use: No
Text search field: No
Browsable content: No
Advertisements: No
Pop-up advertisements: No
In-app purchases: No
Devices
Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Requires iOS 10.0 or later. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/viatherapy/id1108116302
Last updated (as per App store listing): August 15, 2019
Windows mobile (all platforms); n/a
Compatible with Android tablets and smartphones. Requires 4.4 and up. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.viatherapy.androidapp
Last updated (as per Google Play listing): August 13, 2019
Size
App Store listing: 11.9 MB
Google Play listing: 4.9 M; on phone: 5.55 MB
App Developer
Wrote the code: Pivot Design Group
Wrote the content: Mark Bayley, MD, FRCPC,
Sarah Blanton, PT, DPT, NCS
Judith Deutsch PT PhD FAPTA
Charlotte Häger
Debbie Hebert OT Reg. (Ont.) BSc(OT), MSc(Kin)
Gert Kwakkel, PT, PhD
Catherine E. Lang, PT, PhD
Mindy F. Levin, PT, PhD
Marilyn MacKay-Lyons, BScPT, MScPT, PhD (Physiology)
Michelle N McDonnell, PT, PhD
Valerie Pomeroy
Carol L. Richards, O.C., Ph.D., PT, FCAHS
Nancy M. Salbach, BSc, BScPT, MSc, PhD Cathy Stinear, PhD
Robert Teasell, MD
Paulette van Vliet, BAppSc, MSc,, PhD
Carolee Winstein, Ph.D., PT, FAPTA, FAHA
Steven L. Wolf, Ph.D., PT, FAPTA, FAH
Country of Origin
Canada
Contact
(listed in Google Play)
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