Volume 28, Issue 2 (9-2025)
jha 2025, 28(2): 90-108 |
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Malekzadeh S, Ayatollahi H, Toni E. Evaluation of functional and non-functional requirements of medication management applications developed in Iran. jha 2025; 28 (2) :90-108
URL: http://jha.iums.ac.ir/article-1-4575-en.html
URL: http://jha.iums.ac.ir/article-1-4575-en.html
1- Department of Health Information Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- Health Management and Economics Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ,ayatollahi.h@iums.ac.ir
3- Student Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- Health Management and Economics Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ,
3- Student Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract: (29 Views)
Introduction: Mobile-based medication management applications play a significant role in improving medication safety, providing medication reminders, and facilitating access to drug-related information. However, the quality and effectiveness of these applications depend on their functional and non-functional requirements. This study aimed to identify and compare the functional and non-functional requirements of medication management applications developed in Iran.
Methods: This study was conducted in 2024. Initially, key requirements were identified through a scoping review. Then, an evaluation checklist containing nine functional and eight non-functional requirements was developed, and its content validity was confirmed by experts. Eleven free applications were selected from two Iranian app stores and Google Play. The reliabilty was evaluated by three experts in health information technology and medical informatics using Kappa coefficient (K = 0.81).
Results: Among functional requirements, features such as medication information and medication management were observed in all 11 applications. By contrast, features such as clinical data entry was found in only one app, and no applications allowed user profile creation. Regarding non-functional requirements, the most frequent ones were usability (n=11), reliability (n=10), accessibility (n=10), security (n=4), scalability (n=5), and privacy (n=3).
Conclusion: While several key requirements were included in most medication management applications, there remains a need for improvement in areas such as clinical data recording, scalability, and security. Incorporating validated standards and engaging healthcare professionals in the design process are recommended to improve the quality of medication management applications.
Methods: This study was conducted in 2024. Initially, key requirements were identified through a scoping review. Then, an evaluation checklist containing nine functional and eight non-functional requirements was developed, and its content validity was confirmed by experts. Eleven free applications were selected from two Iranian app stores and Google Play. The reliabilty was evaluated by three experts in health information technology and medical informatics using Kappa coefficient (K = 0.81).
Results: Among functional requirements, features such as medication information and medication management were observed in all 11 applications. By contrast, features such as clinical data entry was found in only one app, and no applications allowed user profile creation. Regarding non-functional requirements, the most frequent ones were usability (n=11), reliability (n=10), accessibility (n=10), security (n=4), scalability (n=5), and privacy (n=3).
Conclusion: While several key requirements were included in most medication management applications, there remains a need for improvement in areas such as clinical data recording, scalability, and security. Incorporating validated standards and engaging healthcare professionals in the design process are recommended to improve the quality of medication management applications.
Keywords: Applications, Medication management, Functional requirements, Non-functional requirements, Mobile phone
Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
Health Information Management
Received: 2025/01/31 | Accepted: 2025/10/7 | Published: 2025/10/20
Received: 2025/01/31 | Accepted: 2025/10/7 | Published: 2025/10/20
supplement [PDF 107 KB] (1 Download)
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