Domain 1: Acceptability & Culture
Questions in this domain consider:
- users' physical, cognitive and emotional health;
- users' beliefs, preferences and behaviours and the system or context of the user community;
- compliance with cultural needs and expectations of communities, as intended.
Apps developed for, or expected to be used specifically by, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities should be assessed in alignment with appropriate cultural domain questions and any frameworks developed for those communities.
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Will using the App be likely to maintain or increase good health-related behaviours for the expected users irrespective of their cultural identity?
If the App has ability to set goals that are specific, measurable and achievable with respect to positive health alignment or wellbeing the developer shall have documented evidence that the goals are specified/obvious within the App. More generally the developer shall document evidence as to how the App will maintain or increase good health related behaviours for the expected users (e.g. by evidence from trials and/or alignment to relevant public health guidance).
Is the purpose of the App clear and aligned in a positive manner to the intended user's health maintenance or improvement, whether directly (end user) or indirectly (via a clinician or service provider using the App on behalf of a user)?
The developer shall have documented the Health App description and collected evidence or feedback that it is clear, comprehensive and designed to maintain or increase good health related behaviours e.g. through information about: • Population: The intended users are clearly defined • Aim: The aim of the App, user benefit from the App, and the expected outcome are provided. • Service/Setting: The App provides information about what services or functionalities it offers. • Cost: The price of the App or services are presented appropriately. There is transparency around any costs (including in-App purchases, and “premium” product purchases).
Does the App make a claim about being intended for, or likely to have significant aspects of cultural sensitivity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, specific culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) or culturally and racially marginalised (CARM) communities, LGBTQIA+ people or specific demographic groups? And / or does the App make a claim about taking a trauma-informed approach, being disability affirming or relevant for a specific group or community of people with disabilities such as neurodivergent people?
This general framework may not be suitable for considering Apps designed for specific cultures or groups. Nonetheless, developers shall consider and document whether their Apps involve any culturally relevant or culturally sensitive aspects in the context of the expected user audience. As stated above, Apps developed for, or expected to be used specifically by, Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander communities should be assessed in alignment with appropriate cultural domain questions and any frameworks developed for those communities. Where the intent of the App is for broad use, the developer shall still consider whether the audience might include specific communities, and if so, the developer shall document the evidence as to how the App is expected to be usable by, and if relevant, support such groups or communities.
Does the App cater for the needs of users who live in regional, rural or remote areas of Australia?
The developer shall document evidence on how the Health App will be usable by, and support the needs of regional, rural or remote areas of Australia including (for example) whether the App functions when offline, and if so whether it has a “catch-up” facility for when it is back online, and/or whether it uses location information or local contextual information to assist such communities and shall document whether it has been tested for use by such communities.
Does the App provide a means to restrict access to content that could be perceived as sensitive, objectionable or harmful to viewing by a minor or the non-intended recipient?
The developer shall document evidence of how the App can restrict access to be sensitive including information or images of body parts or other aspects likely to be restricted by law to the viewing by minors or the non-intended recipient. For example, an App providing information on a health-related topic should not have images of body parts visible without being behind a content restriction mechanism and/or provided with suitable warnings.