American Health Information Management Association has launched a best practice guide to help consumers better evaluate the merits of specific mobile health apps.

AHIMA's "Just Think App Mobile Health Apps 101: A Primer for Consumers" is part of the association's myPHR.com website, which offers consumers guidance on how to set up and manage their personal health information. Medical professionals can direct patients to the site to learn guidelines for using health apps.

“A sound app can give the consumer a way to easily track their daily condition and keep all the information in one convenient place, which can then be shared directly with their doctor,” said Marsha Dolan, co-chair of AHIMA’s Consumer Health Practice Council, in a press statement.

Still, it's crucial that consumers are aware of the proper safeguards. One focus of the guide is recommendations to help ensure the privacy and security of personal health information. Among its tips:

• Review apps' privacy settings, as well as those of mobile devices; know your options and what the default settings are.
• Read apps' privacy policies to determine how they collect data, who has access to it and how it is used.
• Use password protection and encryption.
• Record your phone’s identifier somewhere safe, and know how to use a remote wipe which will erase your data if your device is lost or stolen.
• Remember that texting is not secure, and avoid confidential and personal health information via text.

“To make smart choices, consumers must know the right questions to ask before downloading health-related applications so their personal health information stays private and secure,” said Lynne Thomas Gordon, AHIMA's CEO, in a press statement. “This guide gives consumers insight into what they should consider when making decisions about health apps.”

The new guide can be accessed at myPHR.com.

[See also: Mobile apps changing healthcare ]