UK-based research, publishing and consultancy group PatientView has launched the first European Directory of Health Apps, containing key facts on 200 health-oriented apps that are all recommended by patient groups and consumers.

The 200 apps are categorised in the Directory according to the service they provide the patient/consumer, and according to the language in which the apps are available. Each app has a one-page entry, containing the actual patient group, consumer recommendations, the cost of the app, its developer, and the weblinks from which the app can be downloaded. 62 categories of health apps have been identified.

Examples of apps included in the Directory include those supporting self-management of a medical condition (eg U-Turn), apps that follow patients to report adverse events (eg Fodspor), apps that support the homeless (UK charity Amber Foundation), apps to support patients when they travel (ICE 112) and apps that support the clinical-trial process (Dys).

Robert Madelin, Director General of the European Commission’s DG CONNECT, notes in his foreword to the Directory: “From DG CONNECT’s perspective, consumers and patients need guidance and support in finding useful and reliable apps. Scrutiny of these apps by informed users (such as empowered citizens and patient groups) could be one way forward. I am certain that this Directory will prove useful, not only to users of healthcare systems throughout Europe, but to the many European citizens who live or strive to live healthy lives as well as for everybody who needs such information in their everyday work.”