Table 1.

Issues facing the implementation of mHealth raised by key informants.

Area	Issues
Policy and regulatory	Privacy and data security FDAa regulation of mHealth initiatives as medical devices Medical practice across states or countries and with respect to clinical practice roles (eg, prescribing regulations) Bandwidth or spectrum availability
Wireless networks	Compatibility across multiple networks Compatibility across multiple platforms and proprietary systems Cost to the public or end user Coverage in remote areas
Health system	Lack of examples of sustainable business models Lack of reimbursement Lack of understanding of value mHealth may provide Clinical roles accountability and integration into clinical practice Integration into electronic health records and health information systems Competing health information technology priorities and broader opportunity cost
mHealth practice	Lack of knowledge of how to do it well Wrong focus on the technology or on advantaged populations (those who don’t need it) Governance in mHealth Publicly available applications not evaluated and without basis in theory or evidence Stand-alone or siloed initiatives due to existing platforms or proprietary systems
Research	Need for more high-quality research Need to demonstrate efficacy and cost effectiveness Mismatch in pace and flexibility between research and technology development Measurement of reach or access for the underserved

^a US Food and Drug Administration.