There are more pilots of mHealth programs than in the US Navy, so researchers are urged to rigorously evaluate pilots and share data. If pilots are shown to work, they should be brought to a larger scale. Experts discuss which factors are most important to evaluate in mHealth programs, including whether the focus should be on process or impact, what outcomes to measure, appropriate research designs, financial analyses, data sharing policies, and future technologies.

1. What really works in methods and measures for research and evaluation? Jay Bernhardt, University of Florida Ida Sim, University of California, San Francisco Andrew Broderick, Public Health Institute Greg Norman,University of California, San Diego Charlene Quinn, University of Maryland

2. There are more “pilots” in mHealththan in the US Navy Rigorously evaluate your pilots & share your data. If they work, bring them to scale

3. Which is Most Important formHealth Evaluation? Evaluation: Process vs. Impact Outcomes: Self-report vs. Clinical Design: RCT vs. CBPR Design: Internal vs. External Validity Financials: Cost-benefit vs. ROI Data sharing: Proprietary vs. Open The Future: SMS vs. Apps vs. Mobile Web

4. Let’s hear from the experts…