Architecting Dependable Mobile Health Systems for Managing Anxiety and Depression Across Oncopatology Stages: A Review of Security, Privacy, and Usability Frameworks

Abstract

The application of mobile computing to deliver psychosocial support in oncopatology presents a high-stakes domain where system dependability—encompassing security, privacy, reliability, and usability—is paramount. This study analyzes the technical architecture and dependability attributes of existing mobile health (mHealth) applications designed for managing anxiety and depression for patients across the cancer care continuum. The objective is to synthesize current technical approaches and propose a conceptual framework for architecting future systems that are demonstrably secure, private, and usable. The methodology involves a systematic review of technical and clinical literature, focusing on application architectures, security protocols, privacy-preserving mechanisms, and user engagement models. Results indicate a significant gap between the clinical goals of many applications and the implementation of robust dependability features. Common weaknesses identified include inadequate data encryption, ambiguous privacy policies, and poor user interface design, which contribute to high user attrition and potential security risks. This study concludes by proposing a "Dependability-by-Design" framework for mHealth in oncopatology. This framework prioritizes a secure software development lifecycle, privacy-enhancing technologies, and principles of user-centered design to improve system trustworthiness and sustained engagement, offering a guide for developing more effective and dependable mobile computing solutions for this critical healthcare domain.