Conclusion

Abstract

Overall, research on relationships between empowerment and mHealth use is scarce, and research needs to be added on empowerment processes in relation to mHealth, empowerment as an antecedent of mHealth use, as well as empowerment as an outcome of mHealth use. Both researchers and practitioners need to find ways to step out of the never ending circle of poorly designed mHealth tools and weak effect studies showing hardly any outcomes of mHealth use in self-management processes. Theoretical approaches like the empowerment approach, a “patient-centered, collaborative approach tailored to match the fundamental realities of diabetes care” (Chen & Li, 2009, abstract), can be used to understand anteceding factors of health app use, and can deliver a useful foundation for tailoring and designing apps for specific target groups.