objective on health care resume

Top 18 Healthcare Resume Objective Examples

Updated July 20, 2023 14 min read

A resume objective is a statement that outlines your professional goals and highlights your skills and qualifications as they relate to the job you are applying for. Writing a resume objective for a healthcare position requires you to focus on the specific requirements of the role. You should include keywords related to the job, such as patient care, medical knowledge, or emergency response. Additionally, you should emphasize any relevant experience or skills that make you an ideal candidate for the role. For example, if you have experience working in a hospital setting, include this information in your resume objective. If you are certified in CPR or other life-saving techniques, mention this as well. By providing clear examples of how your skills will benefit the employer, you can ensure that your resume stands out from others.

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Top 18 Healthcare Resume Objective Samples

• To obtain a position in the healthcare industry that allows me to utilize my knowledge of patient care and medical terminology.
• To secure a role as a Healthcare Professional where I can use my experience and skills to provide quality patient care.
• Seeking a Healthcare position where I can apply my strong clinical background, communication skills and empathy for patients.
• To pursue a career in the healthcare field utilizing my knowledge of medical terminology, patient care and administrative duties.
• To join a reputable healthcare organization as an entry-level healthcare professional with the goal of providing excellent patient care.
• To obtain an entry-level position in the healthcare field where I can leverage my interpersonal skills to provide superior patient service.
• Seeking an opportunity to work as a Healthcare Professional utilizing my experience in providing quality patient care services.
• To gain employment as a Healthcare Professional, leveraging my extensive knowledge of medical terminology and procedures.
• Looking for an opportunity to join a team of healthcare professionals in order to utilize my skills in providing quality patient care.
• Aiming to secure a position as a Healthcare Professional where I can utilize my expertise in medical terminology and clinical procedures to deliver effective patient care.
• Seeking an entry-level position in the healthcare field that will allow me to apply my knowledge of medical protocols and procedures while delivering compassionate patient care.
• Applying for an opportunity as a Healthcare Professional with the aim of utilizing effective communication and organizational skills while providing quality service to patients.
• Seeking employment at an established healthcare facility where I can apply my knowledge of medical terminology and protocols while delivering exceptional patient service.
• Aiming for an entry-level role within the healthcare sector that will enable me to utilize my strong communication skills while providing high-quality customer service.
• Looking for an opportunity within the healthcare industry that will allow me to apply my clinical background while delivering excellent customer service and compassionate patient care.
• Pursuing an entry-level role within the healthcare sector with the goal of using my clinical experience and interpersonal skills to provide quality customer service and compassionate patient care.
• Applying for a position as a Healthcare Professional with the aim of using my organizational skills, attention to detail, and passion for helping others while delivering excellent customer service.
• Searching for an opportunity within the health sector that will enable me to use my strong communication abilities, problem solving capabilities, and commitment towards excellence while providing superior customer service

How to Write a Healthcare Resume Objective

A healthcare resume objective is a brief statement that clearly outlines your career goals and ambitions within the healthcare industry. It is an important part of your resume, as it serves to introduce you to potential employers and give them an idea of what type of position you are looking for. Writing a healthcare resume objective can be intimidating, but with the right approach, you can get it done quickly and effectively.

The first step in writing a healthcare resume objective is defining your career goals. Ask yourself questions like: What type of position am I looking for? What kind of job responsibilities do I want to have? What skills or qualifications do I bring to the table? Once you have these answers, use them to craft your objectives statement. Make sure they are clear and concise so that employers can easily understand what you are looking for from them.

Next, highlight any relevant experiences or expertise that make you qualified for the job role. You should include any certifications or training programs related to the field, as well as any volunteer work or internships that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the industry. Be sure to clearly explain how each experience has prepared you for success in this new role.

Finally, make sure that your objectives statement reflects who you are as a professional. Include language about why you think you would be an asset to the organization and how your skills would directly benefit their team. This will show employers that not only are you passionate about healthcare but also dedicated to making a positive contribution in their workplace.

By following these tips, crafting a strong healthcare resume objective should be easy! Remember to keep it concise yet detailed enough to convey all of the necessary information while still standing out among other applicants’ resumes. With some practice and hard work, soon enough potential employers will recognize how well-suited you are for the position they are offering!

Related : What does a Healthcare do?

Key Skills to Highlight in Your Healthcare Resume Objective

In the competitive field of healthcare, having a well-crafted resume is crucial. One key component of your resume should be the objective statement, where you have the opportunity to highlight your most relevant skills. This section can set the tone for the rest of your resume and make a strong first impression on potential employers. In this section, we will discuss some essential skills that you should consider including in your healthcare resume objective to increase your chances of landing that dream job.

1. Telemedicine

Telemedicine is a rapidly growing field within healthcare, allowing medical professionals to provide care and consultation services remotely. Having this skill on a resume objective indicates the candidate's ability to adapt to modern healthcare technologies and deliver patient care in a variety of settings. It also shows that the candidate can effectively communicate and build relationships with patients virtually, which is increasingly important as more healthcare services move online. Additionally, it demonstrates a commitment to improving accessibility in healthcare, as telemedicine can reach patients who may not be able to access traditional in-person services.

2. EHR Management (Electronic Health Records)

EHR Management is crucial for a healthcare resume objective because it demonstrates the candidate's ability to handle, organize, and manage patients' electronic health records effectively. This skill is essential in maintaining accuracy and confidentiality in patient data management. It also shows familiarity with digital systems used in healthcare settings, which can improve efficiency and coordination in patient care. Moreover, it reflects the candidate's compliance with healthcare regulations and standards related to electronic documentation.

3. Medical Coding

Medical coding is a crucial skill in healthcare as it involves the translation of medical diagnoses, procedures, and equipment into universally accepted codes. These codes are used for billing, research, and tracking purposes. Having this skill on a resume objective shows that the candidate understands the importance of accurate record-keeping and billing in healthcare. It also demonstrates their familiarity with medical terminology and their ability to handle complex administrative tasks, which can greatly enhance efficiency in a healthcare setting.

4. PACS Administration (Picture Archiving and Communication System)

A PACS Administration skill is needed for a healthcare resume objective because it demonstrates the candidate's ability to manage and maintain medical imaging systems, which are crucial in many healthcare settings. This skill shows proficiency in digital storage and retrieval of patient images and reports, improving efficiency and organization within the healthcare facility. It also implies that the candidate has a solid understanding of both medical terminology and technology, making them an asset in any healthcare team. Additionally, having this skill can help improve patient care by ensuring quick and accurate access to vital diagnostic information.

5. Biomedical Equipment Operation

Operating biomedical equipment is a crucial skill for healthcare professionals as it directly relates to patient care. This skill demonstrates the ability to manage and operate complex medical machinery, which is essential in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating various health conditions. Including this skill in a resume objective can show potential employers that the candidate is capable of handling technical tasks and has practical experience in a healthcare setting. It also indicates that they have the necessary knowledge to maintain patient safety and contribute effectively to a medical team.

6. Cerner Proficiency

Cerner Proficiency is a crucial skill for a healthcare job as it demonstrates the ability to effectively use and navigate Cerner's suite of healthcare information technology solutions. These systems are widely used in the healthcare industry for patient care, clinical documentation, and data management. Proficiency in this area can lead to improved efficiency, accuracy, and quality of care. Including this skill in a resume objective shows potential employers that the candidate is capable of leveraging technology to enhance patient outcomes and streamline operations.

7. Epic Software Expertise

Epic Software is a leading software system used in the healthcare industry for electronic health records (EHR). A professional with Epic Software expertise can efficiently manage, store, and retrieve patient data, ensuring smooth operations within a healthcare setting. This skill is crucial for a resume objective as it demonstrates the candidate's ability to handle critical tasks such as patient scheduling, billing, clinical systems for doctors, nurses, and other care providers. It also showcases their familiarity with industry-standard technology which can contribute to improved patient care and operational efficiency.

8. Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)

Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) is a critical skill in the healthcare field as it involves conducting diagnostic tests at or near the site of patient care. This skill is essential for a resume objective because it demonstrates the candidate's ability to provide immediate and accurate results, which can significantly improve patient outcomes. It also shows that the candidate has hands-on experience with advanced medical technology and can make quick decisions under pressure. Furthermore, having this skill indicates that the candidate can work independently and take initiative, both of which are highly valued in healthcare settings.

9. Robotic Surgery Assistance

Robotic Surgery Assistance is a crucial skill for a healthcare professional as it demonstrates the ability to utilize advanced technology in surgical procedures. This skill shows that the candidate is up-to-date with the latest medical technologies and can effectively assist in complex surgeries, enhancing precision and reducing recovery time for patients. It also indicates their adaptability in learning and mastering new techniques, which can lead to improved patient outcomes. Therefore, including this skill in a resume objective can make a candidate more attractive to potential employers who are seeking technologically adept healthcare professionals.

10. Virtual Reality Therapy

Virtual Reality Therapy is a cutting-edge technology used in various aspects of healthcare, including physical therapy, pain management, mental health treatment and rehabilitation. Having this skill on a resume demonstrates an individual's ability to leverage advanced technology to improve patient outcomes. It shows a commitment to staying updated with the latest advancements in healthcare and the capability to adapt new methods for patient care. This skill can be particularly attractive for roles that involve direct patient care, therapy, or rehabilitation services.

In conclusion, the objective section of your healthcare resume is a critical space where you can showcase your key skills. It serves as an introduction to potential employers, giving them a glimpse into your capabilities and how you can contribute to their organization. Highlighting the right skills can set you apart from other candidates, making you more appealing to employers. Remember, the goal is not just to list skills but to present them in a way that shows your proficiency and relevance in the healthcare sector. Tailoring this section to match the specific job requirements can significantly enhance your chances of landing an interview.

Related : Healthcare Project Manager Skills: Definition and Examples

Common Mistakes When Writing a Healthcare Resume Objective

Writing a healthcare resume objective can be a challenging task, as it requires you to succinctly and accurately summarize the key points of your experience and qualifications. Unfortunately, many job seekers make common mistakes when crafting their objectives that can have a negative impact on their chances of landing an interview. Below are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when writing a healthcare resume objective:

1. Not Tailoring Your Objective To The Job: It is important to customize your objective to match the job you are applying for. Generic objectives that could apply to any job may not be as effective in catching the eye of potential employers. Be sure to include relevant keywords from the job posting in your objective statement so that employers know immediately that you are qualified for the position.

2. Being Too Vague: While it is important to keep your objective concise, being too vague can also work against you. Employers want to see specific details about how you will contribute to their organization and what sets you apart from other candidates. Try to provide tangible examples of how your skills and experience will add value and benefit them directly.

3. Focusing On Yourself Instead Of The Employer: Another mistake many job seekers make is focusing too much on themselves in their objectives instead of emphasizing what they can do for an employer. Your objective should focus on how you will help solve problems or improve processes within an organization rather than simply touting your own accomplishments or experience level.

4. Including Irrelevant Information: When crafting your resume objective, only include information that is relevant to the position you are applying for and leave out any unnecessary details such as hobbies or personal interests unrelated to the job at hand. Remember that employers don’t have time to read through long-winded objectives; they want concise and direct statements about why you would be an asset in their organization.

By avoiding these common mistakes, healthcare professionals can ensure that their resume objectives stand out from other applicants and increase their chances of getting noticed by potential employers.

Related : Healthcare Resume Examples

A right resume objective for a healthcare position should focus on the applicant's qualifications, abilities and experience that make them a great fit for the position, whereas a wrong resume objective should simply state what the applicant wants to gain from the role.

Editorial staff

Brenna Goyette

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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20 Best Resume Objective Examples for Healthcare Worker Positions

This post presents resume objective examples for healthcare worker positions, to help you learn how to make a great one for your resume/CV and increase its chances of being read.

If you are writing a resume objective statement for a healthcare worker position, it is important to make it compelling to quickly gain the attention of the recruiter/employer.

When your objective statement gains the interest of the recruiter/employer, then it will be easy to get them to read your resume/CV, which will increase your chances of being hired for the healthcare worker role that you are seeking.

To make a great resume that gets you an interview with an employer/recruiter, it is important to learn about various resume statistics before writing your resume. According to novoresume, these resume statistics will give you helpful insight into the prevailing HR trends, guide you in making the right decision about your job hunting, and in creating an effective resume.

How to Make a Great Healthcare Worker Resume Objective Statement

To make a great healthcare worker resume objective statement, you need to learn about the job to discover what the recruiter/employer really wants.

By knowing what the recruiter/employer actually want for the healthcare worker job, you need to study the job requirements and description.

These will show you the kind of skills, knowledge, experience, etc. that the recruiter/employer wants candidates to have to be hired for the available healthcare worker position.

You will also see the duties and responsibilities of the healthcare worker job that the candidate who eventually gets hired will perform.

When you have obtained the above information about the healthcare worker position, you will then be able to write a compelling resume objective that projects you as the right person for the healthcare worker job.

Your healthcare worker objective statement for your resume or CV should highlight some of the major qualities, skills, experience, etc. that you have and that fit what the employer/recruiter requires.

It should also show that you understand what the healthcare worker job entails and will be able to effectively carry out the expected duties and responsibilities.

Now, see some good examples of objective statements you can apply in writing a healthcare worker resume CV:

• Energetic individual with the ability to develop and maintain community partnerships with local organizations and healthcare providers seeks to work at the University of Miami as a Healthcare Worker. Also coming with a High School diploma, 5 years of experience in outreach and community engagement, and excellent English skills.
• To obtain a position with Dynamic Workforce Solutions as a Healthcare Worker, to leverage the ability to communicate effectively and relate to individuals from various economic, social, and cultural backgrounds. Also bringing strong organizational skills and strong computer technical skills.
• Passionate individual seeking a Healthcare Worker position at Boston Medical Center (BMC), to leverage the ability to schedule and complete initial assessments, care plan, and follow up phone calls for enrolled patients within specified timeframes. Also bringing a High School Diploma, 3 years of healthcare experience, and sound basic knowledge of the healthcare system.
• Safety conscious individual with excellent verbal and written communication skills desires a Healthcare Worker position with Housing Works to provide wellness support services to individuals, families, and groups, and offer biomedical counseling to clients and partners. Also coming with the ability to stay in a stationary position 50 percent of the time and constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Talented individual with strong ability to learn fast interested in the Healthcare Worker position at Mercy. To apply 5 years of work experience in health setting. Also bringing Associate’s degree, successful completion of healthcare worker formal training program, and the ability to work with individual patients as part of an integrated team of health care providers.

More Resume Objective Examples for Healthcare Worker Positions [6-10]

6. Team-oriented individual eager to work at Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center as a Healthcare Worker where 3 years of work experience in a healthcare facility and strong ability to perform intensive specialized healthcare services, etc. will be applied.

7. Seeking a Healthcare worker position with Somatus where the experience of working with Medicare will be utilized. Also coming with experience working with patients having chronic and behavioral health needs, and demonstrated success in working as part of a multi-disciplinary team including communicating and working with Physicians and Registered Nurses.

8. Extremely organized individual interested in securing a Healthcare Worker position with the City of Baltimore to participate in the hiring of healthcare workers supervisors and providing input into required COVID-19 contract tracing and health materials. Also bringing a Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience in the health systems, as well as excellent oral and written communication skills.

9. An individual with strong reasoning ability looking to contribute enough experience in the Healthcare Worker job at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. Coming with a High School diploma and 5 years of experience in health education and training. Also coming with excellent English skills, competency in Microsoft Office programs, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

10. Seeking the job of a Healthcare Worker at the San Francisco Department of Public Health where 3+ years of experience in the healthcare sector will be utilized. Also coming with valid ADPC Certification accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), and good analytical and problem-solving skills.

More Resume Objective Examples for Healthcare Worker Positions [11-15]

11. Experienced individual seeking a Healthcare Worker position with Community Health Center to complete initial behavioral health evaluations. Coming with a Ph.D. and 6+ years of experience with patients, including children and adults. Also bringing excellent oral and communication skills, and written and oral bilingual fluency in the language spoken by patients.

12. Specialized healthcare worker with an Associate’s degree and 3 years of experience of the health system. Longing for a Healthcare Worker position with LifeBridge Health to effectively provide direct services by means of education, advocacy, and services coordination to individuals so as to extend health support services. Also coming with a Driver’s license and completed BACH training.

13. Passionate individual hopeful for an Entry-level Healthcare Worker position with CliniSanitas Medical Centers to work with the team at the medical center and participate in their weekly meetings. Also coming with a High School diploma, 1-year experience in healthcare administration, compassion for patients and clients, and strong administrative and interpersonal skills.

14. Talented individual seeking to work with YMCA of the USA as a Healthcare Worker to be present at all times during workshop sessions, and keep weekly attendance records. Coming with a High School diploma and 3 years of customer service experience. Also bringing certification as a healthcare worker, current CPR certifications, and excellent interpersonal communication skills.

15. Hopeful to gain employment with Harris County as a Healthcare Worker to travel throughout Harris County to promote planned mobile events at designated locations. Also bringing a High School diploma, 3 years of experience in the healthcare system, and current healthcare worker certification; basic skills in Microsoft Windows, Outlook, and Word; and basic proficiency in math, reading, and writing.

More Resume Objective Examples for Healthcare Worker Positions [16-20]

16. To obtain a position with Central Health as a Healthcare Worker to collaborate with all members of the care team in providing patient-centered care. Also coming with strong interpersonal skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a high level of skill at building relationships and providing excellent customer service care.

17. A highly skilled individual with a High School diploma and 2 years of experience working with people in the health field seeks a Healthcare Worker position at Resources for Human Development. Also coming with demonstrated exemplary problem-solving, communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.

18. Hopeful to gain employment with Highmark Health as a Healthcare Worker to establish trusting relationships with patients and their families while providing general support and encouragement, including motivating patients to meet their health goals. Also coming with an Associate’s degree, 3 years of experience in healthcare provision, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.

19. Well-organized individual with a High School diploma and three years of experience working with diverse medical facilities seeks employment with Hudson River HealthCare, Inc. as a Healthcare Worker, to provide effective and efficient medical interpretation during patient appointments and assist patients with completing medical forms as required. Also bringing excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong computer skills.

20. Team-oriented individual willing to work at the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center as a Healthcare worker with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Looking to utilize strong ability to meet the overall therapeutic needs so as to facilitate effective therapy strategies. Also bringing the ability to participate in daily team meetings to review treatment for each child and family.

If you are writing a resume or CV for a healthcare worker career, it is important to begin it with a power objective statement to get the recruiter/employer into it to actually take the time to read all you have to offer.

This post provides you the ideas and examples you need to learn and master writing a compelling and effective resume objective for any healthcare worker position you desire to apply for.

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15 Practical and Effective Healthcare Resume Objective Examples

In the vast landscape of the healthcare industry, a compelling resume objective can be the key to unlocking doors of opportunity. Your resume serves as the first impression on potential employers, making it crucial to articulate your career aspirations clearly. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the field, mastering the art of writing a targeted resume objective will undoubtedly set you on the path to career success.

In this guide, we delve into practical and effective healthcare resume objective examples designed to elevate your application, offering insights on how to craft a statement that resonates with employers in the ever-evolving world of healthcare.

What is a Good Objective for a Healthcare Resume?

A strong objective for a healthcare resume should succinctly convey your career goals and highlight your qualifications. Begin by emphasizing your professional identity, specifying your role and expertise within the healthcare sector. For instance, you may use “Dedicated and compassionate Registered Nurse with a proven track record in patient care and a passion for promoting health and wellness.” This immediately communicates your specialization and commitment.

Next, align your objective with the specific job or organization you are targeting. Tailor your statement to reflect the unique qualities and requirements of the position. For example, consider “Seeking a challenging role in a progressive hospital where my clinical skills, empathy, and commitment to excellence can contribute to providing high-quality patient care.” This approach not only indicates your career aspirations but also demonstrates your understanding of the employer’s needs, making your resume more appealing to hiring managers in the competitive field of healthcare.

To guide you better based on your job level or desired role in healthcare, some practical examples are provided in the next sections that you can refer to when writing your own healthcare resume objective.

Entry-Level Healthcare Resume Objective Examples

Crafting an effective resume objective is crucial for those entering the industry, serving as a powerful introduction to potential employers. Explore these resume objective examples for healthcare to gain inspiration and insights on how to present your career aspirations and stand out as an entry-level candidate in the competitive healthcare job market.

Healthcare Administration Resume Objective Examples

Here are examples you can use to articulate your managerial aspirations, showcase your expertise, and position yourself as a valuable asset in the field of healthcare administration:

Healthcare Manager Resume Objective Examples

Check out these resume objective examples for healthcare managers to highlight their leadership prowess and position themselves as key contributors to the success of healthcare organizations:

Healthcare Assistant Resume Objective Examples

Explore these examples tailored to help aspiring healthcare assistants communicate their dedication, interpersonal skills, and commitment to providing essential support in the healthcare domain:

Healthcare Consultant Resume Objective Examples

The following examples are designed to showcase your strategic insights, industry expertise, and commitment to guiding healthcare organizations towards sustainable growth and operational excellence:

Healthcare Business Analyst Resume Objective Examples

These sample resume objectives can help present your analytical skills, proficiency in data-driven decision-making, and commitment to optimizing business processes within the dynamic healthcare landscape:

Let Expert Writers Craft Your Healthcare Resume Objective

Save yourself the hassle and uncertainty by entrusting the critical task of writing a healthcare resume objective to ResuMeds’ expert writers. With a deep understanding of the healthcare industry’s nuances and a knack for turning experiences into impactful narratives, our professionals will ensure your resume objective not only reflects your skills but also resonates with potential employers.

What are you waiting for? Invest in your career by letting us fine-tune your story, providing you the edge needed in the competitive healthcare job market through our medical resume services .

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100+ Nursing Resume Objective Examples + How To Write

Whether you are a new nurse graduate or a nurse with years of experience, applying for a new nursing job can feel a little overwhelming. One of the most important things you can do is prepare a great resume. If you plan to create a resume, you may have wondered, “What are some great nursing resume objective examples?” Nursing resume objectives are important parts of resumes. In this article, I will share 100+ great nursing resume objective examples + how to write them.

What Exactly Is A Nursing Resume Objective?

When should you include an objective on your nursing resume, 5 reasons why a great nursing resume objective makes a difference.

1. A great nursing resume objective gives nurses the opportunity to make a good first impression. 2. A well-written objective on a nursing resume helps demonstrate your written communication skills, which are vital for nursing success. 3. A nursing resume objective can show prospective employers how you have cultivated your career. 4. Resume objectives are an excellent way to briefly showcase your experience. 5. Great Nursing resume objectives offer excellent opportunities to show confidence in your knowledge and skills.

How To Write A Great Nursing Resume Objective?

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Make These 12 Small Habit Tweaks and Watch Your Health Transform

It's OK to start small with your health goals. Small changes each day can have a big impact in the long run.

Working toward a healthier you won't uproot your current routine. It's not always sweeping changes that have the biggest impact on your health. Sometimes, little ones can make a significant difference if you stick with it. Your habits will determine whether you see positive or negative health outcomes throughout your life. If you don't know where to start, or maybe you got off track, here's what you can do.

When you're ready to take the next step toward better physical and mental health , below are a dozen science-backed habits you can adopt today.

Want more tools to really kickstart your healthy habits? See which foods you should eat for a happiness boost , hacks to handle stress and tips to reboot your sleep habits . 

12 daily habits to improve your health

Here, we're talking about small adjustments that benefit every human. With these minor modifications to your daily routine, you can start working toward better health without having to give up a ton of time, money or enjoyment.

1. Prioritize sleep 

Going without sleep is a lot like expecting your phone to run all day on a 12% battery. Your body needs time to not just rest and recharge, but also to do important work like learning new things and solidifying memories. 

Adults should get at least seven hours of shut-eye each night. If this is a challenge for you, turn to your circadian rhythm . This is your body's natural process that should help you fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up feeling refreshed.

How do you use your circadian rhythm for better sleep ? Go to bed and get up at the same time every day.

2. Walk more 

Heading out for a stroll boosts your physical and mental health, so it's well worth adding to your list of healthy daily habits. 

On the physical front, regular walking supports your immune system, reduces joint pain and makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight. 

Any exercise helps your mental health, and that includes walking . If you want to shift your daily habits to combat symptoms of depression or anxiety or to boost your mental wellness in general, make it a point to lace up your walking shoes each day. 

3. Read for 30 minutes 

Feeling stressed? Crack open a book. One study found that a half hour of reading can have the same stress-busting effect as known sources of calm, like yoga and humor. 

Reading also does a lot for your brain, strengthening connections there. That study showed that diving into a book has both short and long-term benefits for your brain health. So to maintain the boost, make reading one of your daily habits. When you do, you'll also be actively working to fight cognitive decline as you age.

4. Meditate 

Another stress reducer and mental health booster , meditation gives you a way to tune into the present moment. In our busy, hyperconnected world, this can go a long way toward not just keeping yourself healthy, but also protecting your happiness.

Starting meditation could be as simple as doing a little reading on it and setting a timer for, say, 5 minutes each day. There are also plenty of good apps to guide you. You can even incorporate a meditative mindset into your regular activities, such as mindful eating .

Meditation gives you a way to tune into the present moment, so you can reduce stress and improve your mental health. 

5. Spend time in nature

Getting into nature can help us soothe ourselves. It offers an effective counterbalance to all the screentime built into most of our days. An expanding body of research shows that time in nature can:

• Improve our cognition
• Increase attention span
• Lower risk of mental illness
• Increase empathy and social connectedness

You can combine this with other healthy habits, like your daily walk. Ideally, aim for green (like a forest) or blue (like bodies of water) spaces during your time outdoors. 

6. Eat more plant-based foods 

You probably already know that eating nutritious food makes you feel better. As an overarching concept, healthy eating habits can feel a little vague.

So let's be specific: Work to get more plants onto your plate. A plant-supported diet helps you maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels and reduces your risk for some chronic conditions. Plants are full of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients we need to keep our bodies working optimally.

Try to incorporate more fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes into your daily meals. It might be helpful to keep a produce bowl on your kitchen counter so you can grab things as a quick snack, too.

A plant-based diet helps maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels and reduces your risk for some chronic conditions. 

7. Drink more water 

This is one of those areas where it's easy to see how healthy habits help. Since we're mostly water , it makes sense that we would need to continually replenish our body's supply. Getting enough water helps your body flush waste and keeps your joints lubricated while acting as a shock absorber for your spine and helping your digestive processes. 

To build healthy habits around water, start carrying a reusable water bottle with you. Whenever you're bored, take a sip. Your body will thank you. 

8. Reduce alcohol intake

Reducing the alcohol you consume does a lot for you , especially if you used to binge drink.:

• Lowers risk of high blood pressure, depression and other conditions
• Decreases symptoms of those conditions
• Helps your body better absorb nutrients
• Improves sleep and minimizes fatigue
• Supports liver health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that men have two drinks or fewer each day, while women stick to a max of one drink per day. To help yourself out here, figure out a nonalcoholic beverage you like a lot. Soda water, bitters and a lime can scratch the cocktail itch without adding another alcoholic drink to your daily total. 

9. Quit smoking 

Does this come as any surprise? Smoking is bad for your heart and lungs, and it's also bad for your longevity . Long story short, if you want to live a longer, healthier life, kick the habit. 

As you're figuring out how to be healthier, don't turn to vaping. It might be less harmful, but it's just as addictive and still comes with health risks . 

Smoking is one of the hardest daily habits to ditch. The CDC and the American Lung Association have resources to help.

10. Spend time with those you love 

If you're pursuing healthy habits to feel happier in 2024, hang with your people. Social connection goes a long way toward boosting our moods.

If you already have a group of friends or family, let this be a reminder to hit them up. Call someone you haven't talked to in a while or invite a few people over for a game or movie night. Check how you feel afterward. Better? We thought so.

If you don't have a social circle, make 2024 the year you intentionally work on making connections. That could mean striking up a conversation with a coworker or getting to know your neighbors . 

Social connection goes a long way toward boosting our overall mood.

11. Take a break from electronics 

Screen time takes its toll. Studies directly link it with lower psychological well-being . 

Fortunately, the reverse is true. A digital detox can:

• Improve your sleep
• Boost your focus and productivity
• Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Support real-life social connections (see the point above)

You could try going off social media apps for a while and see how you feel. If you want to incorporate this into your healthy daily habits, carve out time each day when you're screen-free. For better sleep, maybe make that the last hour before bed.

12. Take up a new hobby 

Your healthy habits can also be fun and rewarding. What have you always wanted to do? Your answer to that question might point you toward a new hobby to explore in 2024. Getting into it can help you reduce stress and boost mental well-being.

Plus, some hobbies can get you moving, supporting both your physical and mental health. Maybe you get into playing pick-up soccer at the park, or you could explore yoga . 

Ultimately, you have a lot of options for healthy daily habits you could incorporate into your lifestyle. You can pick one or two, or go big and go for the full dozen. Either way, you'll be moving toward a healthier, happier you. 

Other Wellness Guides

• Best Places to Buy Glasses Online
• Best Places to Buy Contacts Online
• Best Prescription Sunglasses
• Best Place to Buy Replacement Prescription Lenses
• Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses
• Best Electric Toothbrush
• Best Invisible Braces
• Best Sunscreen
• Best Mattress
• Best Mattress for Back Pain
• Best Adjustable Mattress
• Purple Mattress
• Saatva Mattress
• Best Headphones for Sleeping
• Best Pillow
• Best Sheets
• Best Elliptical
• Best Treadmill
• Best Rowing Machine
• Best Peloton Alternative
• Best Adjustable Dumbbells
• Best Weightlifting Shoes
• Best Massage Gun
• Theragun Review
• Best Meal Kit Delivery Service
• Best Healthy Meal Delivery Service
• Best Cheap Meal Delivery Service
• Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery Service
• Best Keto Meal Delivery
• Best DNA Test
• Ancestry vs 23 and Me
• Best Continuous Glucose Monitors
• Best Blood Pressure Monitor
• Best Prescription Delivery Services
• Best Portable Humidifiers
• Best Mental Health Apps
• Best Teas for Stress and Anxiety
• Best Fidget Toys for Anxiety
• Best Online Therapy

This paper is in the following e-collection/theme issue:

Published on 29.5.2024 in Vol 26 (2024)

Effectiveness of mHealth Apps for Maternal Health Care Delivery: Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews

Authors of this article:

• Edward Kwabena Ameyaw 1, 2 , PhD   ; 
• Padmore Adusei Amoah 1, 2, 3 , PhD   ; 
• Obidimma Ezezika 4 , PhD  

1 Institute of Policy Studies, Lingnan University, Hong Kong, China (Hong Kong)

2 School of Graduate Studies, Lingnan University, Hong Kong, China (Hong Kong)

3 Department of Psychology, Lingnan University, Hong Kong, China (Hong Kong)

4 Global Health & Innovation Lab, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Health Studies, Western University, London, ON, Canada

Corresponding Author:

Edward Kwabena Ameyaw, PhD

Institute of Policy Studies

Lingnan University

China (Hong Kong)

Phone: 852 55381568

Email: [email protected]

Background: Globally, the use of mobile health (mHealth) apps or interventions has increased. Robust synthesis of existing systematic reviews on mHealth apps may offer useful insights to guide maternal health clinicians and policy makers.

Objective: This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness or impact of mHealth apps on maternal health care delivery globally.

Methods: We systematically searched Scopus, Web of Science (Core Collection), MEDLINE or PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews using a predeveloped search strategy. The quality of the reviews was independently assessed by 3 reviewers, while study selection was done by 2 independent raters. We presented a narrative synthesis of the findings, highlighting the specific mHealth apps, where they are implemented, and their effectiveness or outcomes toward various maternal conditions.

Results: A total of 2527 documents were retrieved, out of which 16 documents were included in the review. Most mHealth apps were implemented by sending SMS text messages with mobile phones. mHealth interventions were most effective in 5 areas: maternal anxiety and depression, diabetes in pregnancy, gestational weight management, maternal health care use, behavioral modification toward smoking cessation, and controlling substance use during pregnancy. We noted that mHealth interventions for maternal health care are skewed toward high-income countries (13/16, 81%).

Conclusions: The effectiveness of mHealth apps for maternity health care has drawn attention in research and practice recently. The study showed that research on mHealth apps and their use dominate in high-income countries. As a result, it is imperative that low- and middle-income countries intensify their commitment to these apps for maternal health care, in terms of use and research.

Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42022365179; https://tinyurl.com/e5yxyx77

Introduction

The use of mobile health (mHealth) apps has ascended following the proliferation of wearable devices, live audio-visual communication systems, SMS text messaging, and mobile phone app inter alia [ 1 ]. mHealth is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a “medical and public health practice supported by mobile devices, such as mobile phones, patient monitoring devices, personal digital assistants, and other wireless devices” [ 2 ]. mHealth has been identified as an essential public health tool for efficient health care delivery, especially in situations where the face-to-face model of care cannot be readily provided [ 3 - 5 ]. The grievous repercussions of the COVID-19 outbreak on the ailing health systems of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) [ 6 , 7 ], and some high-income countries (HICs) [ 6 - 8 ], partly suffice the need to optimize the use of mHealth apps or interventions. A critical aspect of health care greatly impacted by COVID-19 was maternal health care delivery [ 9 - 11 ].

Nonetheless, mHealth could help subside some of the challenges confronting maternal health care delivery. Recent evidence has reverberated that the continuum of maternity health care has received its fair share of mHealth interventions globally, with increasing use and resultant positive outcomes [ 12 - 16 ]. So far, existing mHealth apps for maternal and newborn health care include the Mobile Technology for Community Health (MOTECH), behavioral change tools, and momConnect [ 17 , 18 ]. There are also mHealth apps for general health care delivery such as the Hospital Authority mobile app in Hong Kong [ 19 ]. mHealth aids to offset the human resource gap through diverse technologies designed to support treatment adherence, clinical diagnosis, and enhancement [ 2 ]. In this study, the terms “mHealth applications” and “mHealth interventions” are alternated. In addition, “newborn healthcare or care” is subsumed under “maternal healthcare or care.”

It is anticipated that there will be approximately 5.6 billion mobile connections by 2025, with most of these being smartphones [ 20 ]. A considerable proportion of these mobile connections are earmarked to occur in LMICs, where worse maternal health conditions occur, as mobile connections are more readily accessible in some instances than clean water and electricity [ 21 , 22 ]. This could suggest that LMICs have an increased propensity to maximize the benefits of mHealth to truncate the alarming maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality, which at present is almost 95% of all global maternal deaths [ 23 ]. The utility of mHealth interventions can, therefore, be maximized to curtail the gloomy maternal health situation in some parts of the world.

There is a plethora of systematic reviews that have synthesized the relevance of mHealth interventions used in maternal health care [ 24 - 29 ]. For instance, Ambia and Mandela [ 26 ] realized that mobile phone–based interventions lead to a statistically significant rise in the uptake of early infant diagnosis of HIV while Bossman et al [ 29 ] highlighted the importance of SMS text messages and voice message reminders toward behavioral change among pregnant women by enhancing antenatal care (ANC) and prenatal care attendance, skill birth attendance, and vaccination uptake [ 29 ].

Meanwhile, these reviews have not been synthesized on a global scale to draw consistencies and inconsistencies in the evidence to guide maternal health care models and interventions, to maximize gains. A recent systematic review of systematic reviews rather focused on the effectiveness of mHealth on health issues such as diabetes, heart failure symptoms, hypertension, and other health conditions [ 30 ]. The prevailing evidence seems to converge that mHealth interventions are impactful and beneficial for maternal health care in both HICs and LMICs [ 31 - 34 ].

So far, no review has synthesized the existing systematic literature reviews to provide aggregate evidence to guide maternal health care practitioners, clinicians, and policy makers. Robust synthesis of existing systematic reviews on mHealth interventions may be useful in guiding clinicians and policy makers with relevant evidence and further pinpointing aspects requiring further evidence to minimize potential risks associated with the existing maternal health care models. Hence, this systematic review of systematic reviews explores the effectiveness or impact of mHealth apps or interventions on maternal health globally.

This paper is a systematic review of systematic reviews. The review addressed the following research questions: (1) What mHealth apps are used for maternal health care delivery globally? (2) What is the effectiveness of mHealth apps for maternal health care? and (3) What are the barriers and facilitators in the use of mHealth apps for maternal health care delivery?

We conducted this study in line with the updated guidelines for PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses; Multimedia Appendix 1 ) statement and the methodological considerations when including existing systematic reviews [ 35 ].

Protocol and Registration

We developed a protocol to guide the conduct of the study. The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO).

Search Strategy and Information Sources

Our search focused on published systematic reviews that focused on specific mHealth apps used in delivering any maternity health care (ie, prenatal, birth, or postnatal) and newborn care, subsumed under maternal care. A newborn refers to a neonate, thus, a child within 28 days of birth, as conceptualized by the WHO [ 36 ]. A systematic search for systematic reviews was executed in 5 databases: Scopus, Web of Science (Core Collection), MEDLINE or PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, using a predeveloped search strategy ( Multimedia Appendix 2 ). The aforementioned databases were used due to their dominance in biomedical reviews. Searches were done on October 20, 2022. Besides, relevant references of retrieved papers were searched manually to retrieve other relevant papers.

Eligibility Criteria

This paper included systematic reviews involving primary studies of all study designs (eg, randomized controlled trials [RCTs], pre- and posttest designs, nonrandomized trials, and observational studies). We included reviews focusing on the effectiveness of all available mHealth apps used for maternal and newborn health care delivery globally, for example, service delivery apps. A paper was considered a systematic review if it had these five characteristics: (1) clearly defined aim or research question, (2) eligibility criteria for included studies, (3) appropriate search strategy, (4) appraisal or quality assessment, and (5) analysis or synthesis [ 37 ]. Besides, the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes framework was applied in determining the eligibility. Thus, the population of interest was pregnant women, women in labor or at birth, postnatal women, and neonates. The intervention of interest was mHealth as defined in the Introduction section. Where reported, the comparison was the women or neonates who were not treated with the assistance of any mHealth app, and the outcomes were the reported results that emerged after using mHealth app for any maternity or neonatal condition. Only studies in the English language were considered without year limits. Due to the language competency of authors, only papers published in the English language were considered as English is the working language of the authors. We also excluded papers focusing on nonmaternal health issues or reviews on interventions other than mHealth.

Study Selection

Reviews were imported to EndNote (Clarivate), and duplicates were removed, after which title and abstract screening were performed by 2 authors (EKA and PAA) using the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This was done while blinding each other’s decision, and all discrepancies were discussed for resolution. Initial screening was on the titles and abstracts retrieved from the search. All suitable papers were retrieved for full-text evaluation. Afterward, we conducted a full-text assessment to determine the eligibility for inclusion. The journal, authorship, or years were not blinded in the process. Reference lists of included papers were searched for additional suitable papers, and we had no reason to contact authors as our results were exhaustive.

Quality Assessment, Data Extraction, and Synthesis

We extracted data following a standardized extraction form (EKA), after which the data were reviewed by a senior researcher (PAA). Specifically, we extracted the following data: author information and year of publication, setting or context, objective, time range of included papers, databases searched, number of included papers, design of included papers, and whether the meta-analysis was conducted or not ( Table 1 ). In addition, we extracted data on the description of included mHealth apps, the target population, the effectiveness of the mHealth apps, and other relevant outcomes of interest as shown in Table 2 . All discrepancies were discussed for resolution. By way of definition, (1) mHealth apps refer to the specific mHealth technique and tools that were used; (2) the target population could either be pregnant women, women in labor or childbirth, postnatal women, and neonates; and (3) effectiveness refers to the outcomes reported after using the reported mHealth technique or intervention. We presented a narrative synthesis of the findings by highlighting the specific mHealth apps, where they are implemented, and their effectiveness or outcomes toward various maternal conditions, such as the impact on maternal health care use. Each of the authors (EKA, PAA, and OE) independently assessed the quality of the reviews using the critical appraisal instrument for systematic reviews and research synthesis by the Joanna Briggs Institute ( Multimedia Appendix 3 [ 38 ]). This is a 12-point critical appraisal tool for assessing the quality of a systematic review to determine if specific papers could be included or otherwise. Reporting was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews (PRIOR).

a RCT: randomized controlled trial.

b BCT: behavior change technique.

c mHealth: mobile health.

d ANC: antenatal care.

a mHealth: mobile health.

b HbA 1c : hemoglobin A 1c .

c Not available.

d RR: relative ratio.

e ANC: antenatal care.

f GPRS: general packet radio service.

Characteristics of Reviews

Our rigorous systematic search retrieved 2516 papers, with 168 duplicates thereby leaving 2348 papers ( Figure 1 ). An additional 11 papers were identified through cross-referencing and free-hand search. As a result, we screened the titles and abstracts of 2359 papers, and 58 papers were eligible for full-text screening. Of these, 19 papers were deemed eligible for inclusion. However, 3 papers were excluded due to limited data, hence 16 (8.1%) reviews out of 198 studies were included in the final review ( Figure 1 ), as no study was excluded based on quality assessment outcome. Of the 198 studies, 29 (14.6%) studies were included in more than 1 review and they were counted once. These reviews were published between 1996 and 2020 ( Table 1 ), and 11 were meta-analyzed [ 27 , 34 , 39 , 43 , 45 - 50 , 52 ]. In all, 8 included papers on RCT designs only [ 27 , 39 , 40 , 45 , 46 , 49 , 50 , 52 ]; 7 had studies of RCTs and other designs such as controlled clinical trials, cohort studies, non-RCTs, quasi-RCTs, and pilot RCTs [ 34 , 41 - 44 , 47 , 48 ]; and 1 review had no RCT design [ 51 ].

Most of the reviews were conducted in HICs (13/16, 81%), predominantly from the United States (n=11) [ 27 , 34 , 40 - 47 , 49 , 50 , 52 ], United Kingdom (n=7) [ 39 , 41 - 43 , 46 , 47 , 49 ], Australia (n=6) [ 27 , 39 , 40 , 42 , 47 , 49 ], the Netherlands (n=4) [ 27 , 46 , 47 , 50 ], and Norway (n=2) [ 41 , 49 ]. Only 3 of the reviews were conducted in LMICs (such as Tanzania, Thailand, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and India) [ 48 , 51 , 52 ]. In total, 11 (69%) of the 16 reviews focused on pregnant women alone [ 27 , 34 , 40 - 45 , 48 - 50 ], 2 focused on both pregnant and postpartum women [ 39 , 51 ], 1 was on both pregnant women and women intending to be pregnant [ 46 ], and another was focused on pregnant women and their partners [ 47 ] ( Table 2 ).

Characterizing mHealth Interventions and Conditions Supported

Different forms of mHealth interventions are implemented to augment the delivery of maternity health care globally. As illustrated in Table 2 , the dominant channels or platforms by which mHealth interventions operate are mobile phones [ 42 , 43 , 51 ] usually in the form of SMS text messages [ 45 - 47 , 49 - 51 ]. Quite a significant proportion (3/16, 19%) of the mHealth interventions are delivered through websites [ 27 , 39 , 45 ]. With respect to the specific maternal conditions, a substantial proportion of the mHealth interventions were used to assist pregnant or postnatal women in overcoming anxiety and depression [ 27 , 39 , 44 , 50 ], assist with diabetes in pregnancy [ 41 , 45 ], and gestational weight [ 42 ].

Some were also used to help mitigate smoking cessation [ 43 , 47 ] and alcohol prevention or substance use in pregnancy [ 44 , 46 , 49 ] or to support ANC attendance and facility delivery [ 48 , 51 , 52 ]. One review focused on asthma in pregnancy [ 40 ]. For instance, in the review by Ming et al [ 45 ], they assessed modem transmission of blood glucose readings to a centralized health facility’s telephone system that interpreted blood glucose readings into audio tones by transmitting them to a database. In the case of Farzandipour et al [ 42 ], a greater proportion of their studies used the telephone for prenatal weight monitoring, and provision of educational information. The review by Griffiths et al [ 43 ] involved interventions delivered by video or DVD, computer (either PC or laptop), mobile phone, or any portable handheld device [ 43 ].

Effectiveness of mHealth Interventions

Considering that different mHealth interventions targeted different conditions in pregnancy and postnatal phases, varied effectiveness outcomes emerged. Meanwhile, all the studies revealed that indeed mHealth interventions are effective for maternal health care, although at varying magnitudes or levels of effectiveness. On depression, there was a uniform agreement among all studies on this condition, demonstrating the extent to which mHealth interventions help mitigate the condition ( Table 2 ). All the reviews on depression highlighted that mHealth interventions were helpful in subsiding depression in pregnancy and childbirth. In the review by Bayrampour et al [ 39 ], 4 out of 5 studies revealed positive impacts, with 1 reporting that only 18% of the pregnant and postpartum women met the clinical criteria for depression relative to 79% in the control group, after a 12-week assessment. Similar findings emerged from the review by Lee and Cho [ 44 ]. Meanwhile, 2 reviews concluded that mHealth intervention had minimal effect on depression among pregnant women [ 27 , 50 ].

mHealth interventions were reported to be effective in enhancing maternal health care use, as concluded by all the 3 studies focusing on maternal health use. These manifested in ANC enhancement [ 52 ], skilled birth attendance at birth leading to a decline in perinatal mortality [ 51 ], or both ANC and the use of health facilities for childbirth [ 48 ]. Relatedly, the mHealth interventions focusing on alcohol or drinking and smoking showed effectiveness in diverse ways as indicated by all 4 reviews focusing on these [ 43 , 44 , 46 , 49 ]. Another area where significant impacts were recorded was obesity or overweight management, especially during pregnancy [ 42 , 47 ] and diabetes management in pregnancy and newborn outcomes [ 41 , 45 ]. For instance, 66% of studies included in the review by Farzandipour et al [ 42 ] revealed positive impacts on gestational weight gain. Some studies in the review by Eberle et al [ 41 ] also reported marginally higher neonatal birth weight in the intervention group relative to the nonintervention group.

In total, 3 reviews reported that women were satisfied with the mHealth interventions, partly due to the positive user experience and the benefits [ 39 , 45 , 47 ]. Among the 4 reviews, 1 highlighted dissatisfaction arising from text messaging–based mHealth interventions due to fatigue caused by multiple messages [ 51 ]. The same review indicated that the use of mHealth interventions is compromised by privacy issues in instances where the mobile device (eg, mobile phone) is coshared among family members, when women do not own mobile phones, or when there is illiteracy. Two reviews indicated that acceptability and use of mHealth is enhanced by providing information in varied local languages, using locally based software, and when the target is broadened to include women’s significant others [ 44 , 51 ]. Meanwhile, low literacy rate, low accessibility to mobile phones among women in rural locations in LMICs, and uncertainty regarding whether a text is received by the women were some of the identified barriers [ 51 ].

Principal Findings and Comparison With Other Studies

There is sufficient evidence that mHealth apps effectively mitigate diverse conditions that pregnant and postpartum women encounter. All 16 reviews converged that mHealth apps are useful for maternity health conditions. The specific areas where positive impacts manifested include increased use of maternal health care services (ANC, skilled birth, and postnatal care), reduction in perinatal deaths, weight management in pregnancy, alcohol or drinking and smoking mitigation, as well as diabetes management. These conditions represent some of the leading causes of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality [ 53 ].

The positive impact of mHealth interventions on maternity health resonates with prevailing evidence on the implications of mHealth on overall health care such as the review by Marcolino et al [ 30 ], which also revealed positive impacts after synthesizing evidence from available systematic reviews. Additionally, consistent evidence has emerged from different parts of the world [ 54 - 56 ]. Continuous and effective use of mHealth interventions in maternal health care can, therefore, constitute a cornerstone strategy for achieving the first and second targets of the third sustainable development goal, which enjoins all countries to attain fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and reduce neonatal mortality to no more than 12 deaths per 1000 live births by 2030.

Most of the reviews reported evidence from HICs, which is suggestive of limited use of mHealth interventions for maternal health care services in LMICs. As we did not restrict our search to HICs, it is unlikely that evidence from LMICs is missed due to eligibility issues. Hence, we can infer that there is limited use and evidence about mHealth and maternal health services across LMICs. The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia were the dominant locations where mHealth interventions were implemented and assessed. This situation is quite worrying as little evidence exists on the use and effectiveness of mHealth interventions in LMICs, where worse maternal and neonatal morbidities and mortalities occur. Estimates from the World Bank indicate that the United States has a maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 19, while the United Kingdom and Australia have an MMR of 6 each, as of 2017 [ 57 ]. In the same year, African-based LMICs such as South Sudan, Chad, and Sierra Leone recorded MMRs of 1150, 1140, and 1120, respectively [ 57 ]. Hence, LMICs with alarming MMRs need to create a more conducive environment for mHealth to thrive. These may include conscious and continuous strengthening of internet connection and electrification, especially in deprived settings.

Several factors could account for the divide in mHealth use for maternal health care between HICs and LMICs. Mobile devices and the internet are essential prerequisites for mHealth activities to thrive. Meanwhile, mobile phone ownership and internet access are quite difficult in most LMICs. For instance, 1 of the 3 reviews that focused on LMICs reported that some women share mobile phones with other family members and this was a setback toward the maximization of the benefits of mHealth interventions [ 51 ]. A recent report on mobile phone surveys in 9 LMICs (Colombia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa) showed that 90% of people in LMICs do not have a decent internet connection [ 58 ]. The report also revealed that less than half of the people in LMICs have access to basic internet. The extent to which limited internet access compromises the operation of mHealth in LMICs has been echoed [ 59 - 61 ]. Undeniably, mobile phone access and use in HICs far exceed LMICs [ 62 ] and seem to have no relevance without the internet. All these factors might have culminated in the preponderance of mHealth interventions in HICs relative to LMICs.

Implications for Policy and Future Research Directions

mHealth apps are yielding enormous positive outcomes for maternal well-being. However, the use of mHealth is skewed toward HICs, relative to LMICs where worse maternal conditions emerge from. This is, however, not surprising given the disparity in internet access between LMICs and HICs [ 63 ]. Another contributory factor may be the relatively low government expenditure on health care in LMICs, manifesting in limited resource allocation to health care. As of 2019, LMICs averagely spent 5.32% of the gross domestic product on health care as compared with 12.49% average health care expenditure in HICs [ 64 - 66 ]. Hence, an increment in the overall allocation to health care could make it feasible to invest in the most cost-effective mHealth facilities that can offer women the opportunity to benefit from some mHealth interventions that are implementable given the context and acceptability. For instance, simple text message–based mHealth interventions are implementable with relatively minimal resources relative to more advanced options like audio and video conference interventions [ 67 , 68 ].

The use of mHealth interventions typically requires some basic literacy skills [ 33 ].

The overall literacy rate of female individuals may, therefore, have to be enhanced for them to benefit from the mHealth interventions. Countries intending to enhance the benefits of mHealth, especially those in LMICs that do not currently have universal compulsory education, ought to give fair consideration to compulsory education or literacy skills training to ensure that all persons attain at least second-cycle education. This could better place female individuals and their partners to use current and future technological innovations not only in health care, but also in all spheres of life. We are not oblivious to the reality that some LMICs already have universal compulsory education systems [ 69 , 70 ]; for those countries, the fortification of such educational arrangements can enhance gains in the long run. More importantly, backing this with a formidable policy framework can guarantee sustainability and effective implementation of mHealth.

For instance, considering internet connectivity challenges in LMICs compared with HICs, text messaging mHealth interventions may be suitable and relatively easily implementable with political commitment backed by a rigorous policy framework. Second, as mHealth interventions require some level of literacy, there is a need for a conscious effort to reduce illiteracy rates. By this, all persons especially women will be well positioned to use mHealth interventions and ascertain the associated benefits. Globally, governments might have to build partnerships or intensify partnerships with the private sector, particularly the telecommunication companies to widen access, as this can offer some leverage for maximizing the use and impact of mHealth interventions for the well-being of women and newborns.

All countries intending to implement mHealth or maximize the benefits of mHealth could implement national mHealth policies that prioritize maternal issues and also invest in internet connectivity and electrification. These are the critical factors that can bridge the gap between HICs and LMICs as well as the rural and urban residents [ 71 , 72 ]. When women and their partners have uninterrupted internet and electricity and a generally suitable environment for mHealth use, minimal advocacy from ANC providers, nongovernmental agencies, and central government can translate into high use and acceptability. By so doing, the alarming MMR battling LMICs could be reduced, with the bridged disparity between HICs and LMICs, leading to a global decline in MMR.

Future research on this subject could focus on how mHealth interventions work out for special populations such as the people with physical disabilities; persons living with HIV in stereotyped settings; teenagers or adolescents; and persons identified with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex sexual orientations. These populations are sometimes either not comfortable or have truncated access to services meant for the general population [ 73 - 76 ]. Identification of workable mHealth interventions for special populations will augment efforts to attain the global commitment encapsulated in the third sustainable development goal “ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages” [ 77 ].

Strengths and Limitations

To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review of systematic reviews that has exclusively investigated the effectiveness of mHealth apps or interventions on maternal health globally. Besides, we included all available reviews irrespective of study design and year of publications. This aided in identifying a wide array of mHealth interventions and the myriad of maternity conditions they are used for. Notwithstanding the strengths, the study is not devoid of limitations. First, despite the comprehensive search, we only included reviews written in the English language, which happens to be the working language of the authors. Second, the search in PubMed did not include Medical Subject Headings terms. However, in addition to the database searches, we performed citation searches, specifically forward and backward citation searches, to identify additional reviews that might have been missed in the database search. This was done to identify additional reviews that might have been missed in the database search.

Conclusions

The effectiveness of mHealth apps in maternal health care is well established in the literature. This manifests in the positive impact toward management and reduction in anxiety and depression, diabetes in pregnancy, and gestational weight. Other aspects include smoking reduction or cessation during pregnancy and enhancement in maternal health care use. Meanwhile, mHealth apps are skewed toward HICs, likely due to the advancement in technology and other resources required to optimize the inherent utility of mHealth apps. Considering that mHealth apps dominate in HICs, LMICs must consider pragmatic approaches to improve their availability and use. Such approaches may include the adoption of workable mHealth policies and political commitment through increment in budget allocation for health care to offer cost-effective mHealth interventions for maternal health care delivery (eg, nonandroid text messages).

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Prof Joshua Ka Ho Mok for his leadership and supervision. This study was funded by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) through its Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme. The authors are therefore thankful to the RGC and Lingnan University for providing financial assistance and resources.

Data Availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article (and Multimedia Appendices 1 - 3 ).

Authors' Contributions

EKA conceived the study, developed the protocol, and contributed to the development of all sections of the manuscript. PAA contributed to screening, quality assessment, and review of drafts of the manuscript for important intellectual content. OE independently assessed the quality of all included reviews and reviewed drafts of the manuscript to ensure important intellectual content. All authors reviewed the final draft and approved it for submission.

Conflicts of Interest

None declared.

PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist.

Search Strategy.

Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) assessment tool.

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Abbreviations

Edited by T de Azevedo Cardoso; submitted 31.05.23; peer-reviewed by U Charantimath, K Matthias; comments to author 27.08.23; revised version received 29.10.23; accepted 16.04.24; published 29.05.24.

©Edward Kwabena Ameyaw, Padmore Adusei Amoah, Obidimma Ezezika. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 29.05.2024.

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