The Response of Mobile Applications to Crisis in Canada

Abstract

When a crisis strikes, technology allows information to move quickly. By leveraging mobile technology, mobile applications (apps) can serve as a reliable way to ensure rapid communication. This thesis evaluated mobile apps created for two crises: the COVID-19 pandemic and the Indigenous Mental Health crisis. Through the completion of two independent scoping reviews on each topic, apps were collected, analyzed and assessed in a double-blind nature, including results from both grey and scientific literature searches. The results of these scoping reviews were compiled to create an overall report on the capability of these apps to address each crisis respectively. The results indicate that while apps can be quickly developed and made available on application stores in order to help mount a rapid response to crises, many do not fit the needs of users and none can completely cater to a crisis within one app. Further research is required to provide evidence of effectiveness, acceptability and usabilityof these apps. Innovation and collaboration between key stakeholders, government, health care organizations and application developers will be essential to address the identified gaps and facilitate the creation of successful apps for use in either crisis.