RACGP Updates Guidance for GPs on Health Apps

RACGP Updates Guidance for GPs on Health Apps

18 Nov 2025

Health apps are increasingly popular, offering tools such as step counters, sleep trackers, and support for conditions including menopause, chronic pain, and anxiety. Most, however, are informational or lifestyle tools rather than medical devices and are not regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

The updated Recommending Health Apps resource, first published in 2017, provides GPs with more detailed guidance on integrating apps into patient care.

Dr Rob Hosking, Chair of the RACGP Expert Committee – Practice and Technology Management, said the update reflects the growing use of digital tools in healthcare. “Patients are increasingly asking about health apps, and many GPs are incorporating them into care plans,” he told newsGP. “As with any treatment, it’s important to consider the benefits, risks, usability, and appropriateness before recommending an app.”

While the RACGP does not endorse specific apps, the resource links to Healthdirect’s curated list of health and wellbeing apps. It cautions that “not all apps are created equal” and advises GPs to recommend only those that are safe and suitable for patients.

The guidance includes a framework for assessing apps, focusing on reliability, evidence, data security, and relevance to individual patients. Dr Hosking noted that apps providing general information without collecting sensitive data may require minimal review, while those offering personalised advice should be carefully evaluated for evidence base, alignment with clinical guidelines, and patient privacy.

He also recommends GPs test apps themselves before recommending them, checking functionality, usability, content accuracy, and relevance. “Even with trusted sources like Healthdirect, professional judgment remains essential,” he said.

Source: RACGP News

 

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