Iona Tatham

• MBBS
• Process and Outcomes Evaluation of Smartphone Applications for Bipolar Disorder: A Scoping Review

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that is characterised by episodes of depression and elation. Smartphone applications have been shown to be a useful and appropriate tool in predicting early warning signs for relapse in people with bipolar disorder. They allow users to track intrinsic and extrinsic factors in order to identify triggers and patterns. Also, they enable practitioners and those close to the patient to stay informed about how the patient is doing. However, there is not yet a robust, widely utilised framework for evaluating these applications. An evaluation framework would allow researchers to quickly and accurately assess the usability and efficacy of these tools. During my research, I reviewed the available scientific literature on how smartphone applications designed for people with bipolar disorder had been evaluated, in order to inform future developments into app evaluation.

Funding source: Newcastle University

Project supervisor: Dr Aditya Sharma