Digital Assets for Citizens

Digital Asset Assessment Framework

The TIC Salut Social Foundation offers an assessment service for the quality of digital assets (mobile apps, websites, and other digital solutions and services) in the field of health and wellness. This framework allows for obtaining a certification seal that certifies that the digital asset has met the minimum quality requirements established in 4 assessment areas.

The Framework is based on the European technical specifications CEN ISO/TS 82304-2 and the requirements established by the Department of Health and other European directives, as indicated in the Good Practice Guide for digital assets for citizens, and has the support of the Functional Experts Committee. You will find more information about the Committee members at the end of this page.

The scope of the Framework includes digital assets intended for both citizens and healthcare professionals, developed within the Catalan Health System or by a private company but with the intention of being used within the System. The assets can be independent or associated with other medical devices, such as wearables.

Assessment Areas 

• Area 1. Reliable Content:  It is assessed that the digital asset has sufficient scientific evidence to support all content and possible health interventions. 
• Area 2. Accessible Design:  The usability, user experience, and accessibility of the asset are evaluated, following the WCAG 2.1 guidelines. 
• Area 3. Secure Data:  It is assessed that the digital asset complies with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), primarily.
• Area 4. Robust Technology:  The robustness of the asset, the efficiency of its resources, and the interoperability of the system, among others, are evaluated.

Quality Label

Externally, the evaluation results are displayed using the following quality label, which is offered in two versions: a full version and a reduced version. The label shows the qualitative scores obtained for each area, as well as the overall score of the asset, and allows for quick identification of the quality level of a digital application.

What is it for?

The quality label of a health application is used to show, in a quick and visual way, its level of quality and thus help citizens trust digital health tools. This label is issued to all those applications that pass the evaluation of the TIC Salut Social Foundation based on CEN ISO/TS 82034-2.

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Application logo

Application name

Evaluation by areas

Reliable content

It is assessed whether the information and functionalities of the application are based on scientific evidence, whether they have been developed with the support of professionals or expert entities, and whether the health benefits, potential risks and limitations of use are clearly communicated. Ethics, legal responsibility and transparency in funding are also evaluated.

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Accessible design

It is analyzed whether the application’s design takes into account the user experience, including usability, accessibility (also for groups with functional diversity), user participation in the design process, and the clarity of navigation and information.

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Secure data

It is examined how personal and health data are managed: whether privacy is respected, whether there are adequate security measures, and whether current data protection regulations are complied with. Transparency in the use of information and the possibility of user control are also evaluated.

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Robust technology

The technical reliability of the application is reviewed, including its stability, its ability to maintain performance across different technological environments, and its interoperability with other systems or devices. The artificial intelligence algorithms contained in the application are also evaluated.

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In addition to the label, a quality leaflet is being developed, which will contain more detailed information about the quality of the asset, including the most relevant evaluation results, such as risks, contraindications, and usage limitations. It will also be available in two formats: a navigable application and a downloadable document.

Do you want to certify the quality of your digital asset? 

Take the Self-Assessment Test to find out the maturity level of your application and if it is ready to start a certification process. If it is, you can request certification of your solution by contacting the Digital Assets Area via email at oficinamobilitat@ticsalutsocial.cat, and they will advise you to ensure your digital asset meets the essential quality and reliability requirements. 

Consult all the documents and information to know what you need to consider to pass the certification process in the Reference Documents tab. More specifically, you can consult the document with all the information about the Assessment Framework and the Good Practice Guide for digital assets for citizens.

0. Consult information

Before starting the process, we recommend consulting the Digital Assets Evaluation Framework documentation, the Guide to Good Practices for Developing Digital Assets for Citizens, and the Digital Assets Directory

1. Self-assessment

It is also necessary to complete the Self-Assessment Test to find out the maturity level of your asset. You should obtain a score of at least 25/40. A lower result indicates that the asset lacks sufficient maturity to start the process.

2. Express interest

To start the process, you must inform us of your interest in the evaluation by sending us an email to oficinamobilitat@ticsalutsocial.cat .

3. Agree on the evaluation

If your product consists of a mature digital health or well-being asset, we can jointly agree on starting the evaluation process and sign the required documentation.

4. Provide evidence

So that we can carry out the evaluation, we will need you to send us evidence of compliance with each criterion using the Evidence Form, which we will send you once the agreement has been signed.

5. Evaluate the asset

We will evaluate compliance with each criterion by downloading the asset and based on the evidence you have provided.

6. Issue results

Finally, we will present you with the results of the evaluation, whether positive or negative. If they are positive, we will issue the certification, the report, the label, and the leaflet. If they are negative, you will need to correct the non-conformities (documentation and implementations in the asset) in order to obtain the certification.

Functional Experts Committee

Our Functional Experts Committee is composed of members of Official Associations –COMB, COPFLEFC, COIB–, and Scientific Societies –SCEPC, AiFICC and CAMFIC–.

It includes healthcare and social welfare professionals from different fields. The Committee collaborates in the evaluation of mobile applications that have requested Certification from the Foundation. They assess the quality of the content and the usefulness of the functionalities they incorporate.

Jaume Bataller

Family and Community Nurse, and specialist in innovation and entrepreneurship in eHealth

Vice-president of AIFiCC and member of various working groups in Digital Health. Currently works in the field of Primary Care.

Maite Garolera

Specialist in Clinical Psychology and expert in Neuropsychology

Master’s in eHealth from La Salle – URV and Master’s in Healthcare Institution Management from UAB. Doctor in Psychology Cum Laude from UB. Head of the Neuropsychology Unit and the Brain, Cognition and Behavior Research Group at CST. President of the Catalan Society of Specialists in Clinical Psychology. Professor at EUIT and UOC.

Encarnación Gomez Gamboa

Specialist in Pediatric Nursing

Holds a Master’s in Nursing Care Administration and Management from the Santa Madrona Nursing School of Barcelona, a  University Master’s in Nursing Sciences from UIC, and a Master’s in Nursing Care Research and Innovation from UAB. Encarnación is also a Member of the Governing Board of the Official College of Nurses of Barcelona (COIB) since March 2020.

Daniel Lara

Head of the Innovation and Technology group and Health Commission of COPLEFC

Graduate in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, specialist in Health and Physical Exercise. PhD candidate at the University of Barcelona (UB-INEFC).

Miguel Ángel Mayer

Physician, specialist in Family and Community Medicine

Master’s in Public Health, Doctor in Biomedical Informatics, and member of the ICT Group of CAMFiC. He is a Senior Biomedical Scientist in the Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics at IMIM and Pompeu Fabra University, where he is also an associate professor and academic coordinator in biomedical informatics.

Jordi Mestres

Physician, specialist in Family and Community Medicine

Physician, specialist in family and community medicine. He is currently 2nd Vice President and Communications Officer of CAMFiC, works as a family doctor, and coordinates the CAP of Sant Feliu de Llobregat.

Clara Salvadó

Functional Manager of the CatSalut Medicines Catalog and collaborator on electronic prescription projects

Graduate in Pharmacy (UB) and diploma in Business Sciences (UOC).

Mireia Sans

President of the eHealth Physicians Section, COMB. Professor at UIC

Graduate in Medicine and Surgery from UB, specialized in family and community medicine and Doctor cum laude. Assistant Director of CAP Comte Borrell, CAPSBE.