Quality assurance
How we approach quality assurance
We use a planned and systematic approach to create apps and comply with accepted quality requirements.
This involves:
- Evidence standards: We create apps in line with the NICE Evidence Standards Framework for Digital Health Technologies.
- Content creation: We use editorial guidelines to create and maintain app content. Learn more about how we create app content.
- Sign-off: To sign off app content, we use development checklists based on the Patient Information Forum 'PIF Tick'.
- App interface: We use the Apple Human Interface Guidelines and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 for guidance.
- Safety and security: Apps comply with current safety and security guidelines and do not collect any personally identifiable data and. We create Safety Cases and Hazard Logs as appropriate.
External assessment
Our company and our apps undergo regular independent external review.
- PIF Tick certification: Expert Self Care is certified by the Patient Information Forum 'PIF Tick', the only independently-assessed quality mark for print and digital health information. This means our work and our processes are regularly assessed and audited.
- ORCHA: Apps are reviewed by the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Applications (ORCHA) and consistently score well above ORCHA's quality benchmark.
- DTAC: Apps comply with the NHS Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC).
How we improve quality
We formally invite and analyse feedback on our products, services and processes to identify areas for improvement.
We also ask users, experts and our partner organisations for feedback on app content, both during app development and on an ongoing basis after launch.
- Feedback: Our apps carry a 'feedback' button leading to a page with information on how to submit feedback, comments and suggestions for improvement.
- Reviews: We act on the results of app reviews by users and independent reviewers, such as ORCHA.
- Ratings: We review and consider ratings provided by app users on the app stores.
Find out more
Get in touch to find out more, provide feedback or ask questions.
Page last reviewed: 30 May 2024