scholarly journals P50 Exploring the Merits and Availability of Smartphone Applications Related to Melanoma

BJS Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jade Kabbani ◽  
Jamil Kabbani ◽  
Jade Kabbani
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Management ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Patient Access ◽  
Smartphone Applications ◽  
App Store ◽  
Widespread Availability ◽  
Smartphone Use ◽  
Clinical Tools ◽  
Google Play ◽  
Privacy Issues

Abstract Background The increased use of smartphone applications across healthcare specialties has been particularly relevant in dermatology, with dermatology related applications widely available on mainstream application stores. We reviewed published literature regarding melanoma-related applications, and the number and types of such applications available for download. Methods A literature search of “dermatology”, “smartphone” and “melanoma” was conducted to identify publications assessing applications of interest. “Melanoma” was searched in Apple’s (iOS) “App Store” and Google’s “Google Play”, and application purposes and ratings were analysed. Results 54 of the 63 literature search results explored smartphone use in relation to melanoma, describing benefits including quicker patient access to care, reduced referrals and hence unnecessary consultations, and improved accessibility to information. However, concerns include insufficient image quality, privacy issues related to encryption, and diagnostic inaccuracy. Searches on the Google Play and iOS stores identified 249 and 51 apps respectively. 25% of Google Play results were categorised as clinical tools, 17% as educational, and 58% as recreational. The corresponding results for the App store were 92%, 6% and 2%. 81% of the educational apps and 92% of the clinical management apps related to dermatology and melanoma on Google Play, whereas all of the clinical management apps and 67% of the education apps on the App store were of relevance. Conclusion The results illustrate the widespread availability of applications related to melanoma, particularly for educational and clinical purposes. Standardising photographing techniques, improving diagnostic accuracy, and privacy issues are important aspects to consider and warrant further investigation.

452 Exploring the Merits and Availability of Smartphone Applications Related to Bariatric Surgery

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Kabbani ◽  
J Kabbani
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Patient Support ◽  
Smartphone Applications ◽  
Application Development ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
App Store ◽  
Widespread Availability ◽  
Google Play

Abstract Introduction Smartphone applications transcend healthcare specialties, with applications related to bariatric surgery widely available on mainstream application stores. We reviewed published literature regarding bariatric surgery-related applications, and the number and types of applications available for download. Method A literature search of “bariatric surgery” and “smartphone” was used to find publications assessing such applications. “Bariatric surgery” was searched in Apple’s (iOS) “App Store” and Google’s “Google Play” to analyse application purposes, pricing, and ratings. Results 22 articles explored smartphone usage in relation to bariatric surgery, describing benefits to patient self-management and wellbeing. However, concerns include a perceived lack of involvement of healthcare professionals in application development, and further investigation of application benefits to diet prior to bariatric surgery is needed. Searches on the App Store and Google Play identified 33 and 250 apps respectively. 85% of iOS results were categorised as clinical and weight management tools, 9% as educational, and 6% as recreational. The corresponding figures for Google Play were 60%, 6%, and 34%. Conclusions The results demonstrate the widespread availability of applications related to bariatric surgery aftercare, particularly for patient support. Input from healthcare professionals during application development, and assessment of impacts on physical outcomes, are important aspects to consider.

scholarly journals Technology, Privacy, and User Opinions of COVID-19 Mobile Apps for Contact Tracing: Systematic Search and Content Analysis

10.2196/23467 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. e23467
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Elkhodr ◽  
Omar Mubin ◽  
Zainab Iftikhar ◽  
Maleeha Masood ◽  
Belal Alsinglawi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
The United States ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
App Store ◽  
Technical Issues ◽  
Google Play ◽  
Privacy Issues

Background Many countries across the globe have released their own COVID-19 contact tracing apps. This has resulted in the proliferation of several apps that used a variety of technologies. With the absence of a standardized approach used by the authorities, policy makers, and developers, many of these apps were unique. Therefore, they varied by function and the underlying technology used for contact tracing and infection reporting. Objective The goal of this study was to analyze most of the COVID-19 contact tracing apps in use today. Beyond investigating the privacy features, design, and implications of these apps, this research examined the underlying technologies used in contact tracing apps. It also attempted to provide some insights into their level of penetration and to gauge their public reception. This research also investigated the data collection, reporting, retention, and destruction procedures used by each of the apps under review. Methods This research study evaluated 13 apps corresponding to 10 countries based on the underlying technology used. The inclusion criteria ensured that most COVID-19-declared epicenters (ie, countries) were included in the sample, such as Italy. The evaluated apps also included countries that did relatively well in controlling the outbreak of COVID-19, such as Singapore. Informational and unofficial contact tracing apps were excluded from this study. A total of 30,000 reviews corresponding to the 13 apps were scraped from app store webpages and analyzed. Results This study identified seven distinct technologies used by COVID-19 tracing apps and 13 distinct apps. The United States was reported to have released the most contact tracing apps, followed by Italy. Bluetooth was the most frequently used underlying technology, employed by seven apps, whereas three apps used GPS. The Norwegian, Singaporean, Georgian, and New Zealand apps were among those that collected the most personal information from users, whereas some apps, such as the Swiss app and the Italian (Immuni) app, did not collect any user information. The observed minimum amount of time implemented for most of the apps with regard to data destruction was 14 days, while the Georgian app retained records for 3 years. No significant battery drainage issue was reported for most of the apps. Interestingly, only about 2% of the reviewers expressed concerns about their privacy across all apps. The number and frequency of technical issues reported on the Apple App Store were significantly more than those reported on Google Play; the highest was with the New Zealand app, with 27% of the reviewers reporting technical difficulties (ie, 10% out of 27% scraped reviews reported that the app did not work). The Norwegian, Swiss, and US (PathCheck) apps had the least reported technical issues, sitting at just below 10%. In terms of usability, many apps, such as those from Singapore, Australia, and Switzerland, did not provide the users with an option to sign out from their apps. Conclusions This article highlighted the fact that COVID-19 contact tracing apps are still facing many obstacles toward their widespread and public acceptance. The main challenges are related to the technical, usability, and privacy issues or to the requirements reported by some users.

scholarly journals Mobile Health Strategies to Tackle Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases With Recommendations From Innovative Experiences: Systematic Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carme Carrion ◽  
Noemí Robles ◽  
Oriol Sola-Morales ◽  
Marta Aymerich ◽  
Jose Antonio Ruiz Postigo
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Lymphatic Filariasis ◽  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Clinical Management ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
App Store ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) represent a diverse group of 20 communicable diseases that occur in tropical and subtropical areas in 149 countries, affecting over 1 billion people and costing developing economies billions of dollars every year. Within these diseases, those that present lesions on the skin surface are classified as skin NTDs (sNTDs). Mobile health interventions are currently being used worldwide to manage skin diseases and can be a good strategy in the epidemiological and clinical management of sNTDs. OBJECTIVE We aimed to analyze existing evidence about mobile health interventions to control and manage sNTDs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and make recommendations for what should be considered in future interventions. METHODS A systematic review was conducted of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases over 10 years up to April 30, 2020. All types of clinical studies were considered. Data were synthesized into evidence tables. Apps were selected through a comprehensive systematic search in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store conducted between March 20 and April 15, 2020. RESULTS From 133 potentially relevant publications, 13 studies met our criteria (9.8%). These analyzed eight different interventions (three SMS text messaging interventions and five app interventions). Six of the 13 (46%) studies were community-based cross-sectional studies intended to epidemiologically map a specific disease, mainly lymphatic filariasis, but also cutaneous leishmaniasis, leprosy, and NTDs, as well as sNTDs in general. Most of the studies were considered to have a high (5/13, 39%) or moderate (4/13, 31%) risk of bias. Fifteen apps were identified in the Google Play Store, of which three were also in the Apple App Store. Most of the apps (11/15, 73%) were targeted at health care professionals, with only four targeted at patients. The apps focused on scabies (3/15, 20%), lymphatic filariasis (3/15, 20%), cutaneous leishmaniasis (1/15, 7%), leprosy (1/15, 7%), yaws and Buruli ulcer (1/15, 7%), tropical diseases including more than one sNTDs (3/15, 20%), and NTDs including sNTDs (2/15, 13%). Only 1 (7%) app focused on the clinical management of sNTDs. CONCLUSIONS All mobile health interventions that were identified face technological, legal, final user, and organizational issues. There was a remarkable heterogeneity among studies, and the majority had methodological limitations that leave considerable room for improvement. Based on existing evidence, eight recommendations have been made for future interventions.

scholarly journals Mobile Health Strategies to Tackle Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases With Recommendations From Innovative Experiences: Systematic Review

10.2196/22478 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. e22478
Author(s):  
Carme Carrion ◽  
Noemí Robles ◽  
Oriol Sola-Morales ◽  
Marta Aymerich ◽  
Jose Antonio Ruiz Postigo
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Lymphatic Filariasis ◽  
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Clinical Management ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
App Store ◽  
Google Play

Background Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) represent a diverse group of 20 communicable diseases that occur in tropical and subtropical areas in 149 countries, affecting over 1 billion people and costing developing economies billions of dollars every year. Within these diseases, those that present lesions on the skin surface are classified as skin NTDs (sNTDs). Mobile health interventions are currently being used worldwide to manage skin diseases and can be a good strategy in the epidemiological and clinical management of sNTDs. Objective We aimed to analyze existing evidence about mobile health interventions to control and manage sNTDs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and make recommendations for what should be considered in future interventions. Methods A systematic review was conducted of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases over 10 years up to April 30, 2020. All types of clinical studies were considered. Data were synthesized into evidence tables. Apps were selected through a comprehensive systematic search in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store conducted between March 20 and April 15, 2020. Results From 133 potentially relevant publications, 13 studies met our criteria (9.8%). These analyzed eight different interventions (three SMS text messaging interventions and five app interventions). Six of the 13 (46%) studies were community-based cross-sectional studies intended to epidemiologically map a specific disease, mainly lymphatic filariasis, but also cutaneous leishmaniasis, leprosy, and NTDs, as well as sNTDs in general. Most of the studies were considered to have a high (5/13, 39%) or moderate (4/13, 31%) risk of bias. Fifteen apps were identified in the Google Play Store, of which three were also in the Apple App Store. Most of the apps (11/15, 73%) were targeted at health care professionals, with only four targeted at patients. The apps focused on scabies (3/15, 20%), lymphatic filariasis (3/15, 20%), cutaneous leishmaniasis (1/15, 7%), leprosy (1/15, 7%), yaws and Buruli ulcer (1/15, 7%), tropical diseases including more than one sNTDs (3/15, 20%), and NTDs including sNTDs (2/15, 13%). Only 1 (7%) app focused on the clinical management of sNTDs. Conclusions All mobile health interventions that were identified face technological, legal, final user, and organizational issues. There was a remarkable heterogeneity among studies, and the majority had methodological limitations that leave considerable room for improvement. Based on existing evidence, eight recommendations have been made for future interventions.

Mobile Applications for Health Management of Older Adults: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Asilah Ahmad ◽  
Shahrul Azman Mohd Noah ◽  
Arimi Fitri Mat Ludin ◽  
Suzana Shahar ◽  
Noorlaili Mohd Tohit
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Personalized Feedback ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
App Store ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND Currently, the use of smartphones to deliver health-related content has experienced a rapid growth, with more than 165,000 mobile health (mHealth) applications currently available in the digital marketplace such as iOS store and Google Play. Among these, there are several mobile applications (mobile apps) that offer tools for disease prevention and management among older generations. These mobile apps could potentially promote health behaviors which will reduce or delay the onset of disease. However, no review to date that has focused on the app marketplace specific for older adults and little is known regarding its evidence-based quality towards the health of older adults. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to characterize and critically appraise the content and functionality of mobile apps that focuses on health management and/or healthy lifestyle among older adults. METHODS An electronic search was conducted between May 2019 to December 2019 of the official app store for two major smartphone operating systems: iPhone operating system (iTunes App Store) and Android (Google Play Store). Stores were searched separately using predetermined search terms. Two authors screened apps based on information provided in the app description. Metadata from all included apps were abstracted into a standard assessment criteria form. Evidenced based strategies and health care expert involvement of included apps was assessed. Evidenced based strategies included: self-monitoring, goal setting, physical activity support, healthy eating support, weight and/or health assessment, personalized feedback, motivational strategies, cognitive training and social support. Two authors verified the data with reference to the apps and downloaded app themselves. RESULTS A total of 16 apps met the inclusion criteria. Six out of 16 (37.5%) apps were designed exclusively for the iOS platform while ten out of 16 (62.5%) were designed for Android platform exclusively. Physical activity component was the most common feature offered in all the apps (9/16, 56.3%) and followed by cognitive training (8/16, 50.0%). Diet/nutrition (0/16, 0%) feature, however, was not offered on all reviewed mobile apps. Of reviewed apps, 56.3% (9/16) provide education, 37.5% (6/16) provide self-monitoring features, 18.8% (3/16) provide goal setting features, 18.5% (3/16) provide personalized feedback, 6.3% (1/16) provide social support and none of the reviewed apps offers heart rate monitoring and reminder features to the users. CONCLUSIONS All reviewed mobile apps for older adults in managing health did not focused on diet/nutrition component, lack of functional components and lack of health care professional involvement in their development process. There is also a need to carry out scientific testing prior to the development of the app to ensure cost effective and its health benefits to older adults. Collaborative efforts between developers, researchers, health professionals and patients are needed in developing evidence-based, high quality mobile apps in managing health prior they are made available in the app store.

scholarly journals Radiological Reporting of Urgencies Related to Medical Devices: Commentary on a Possible Systematic Approach

Tomography ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 268-277
Author(s):  
Andrea Contegiacomo ◽  
Marco Conti ◽  
Massimo Muciaccia ◽  
Pietro Trombatore ◽  
Michele Dezio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Medical Devices ◽  
Clinical Management ◽  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Patient Access ◽  
Radiological Images ◽  
Radiological Report

Most medical devices are routinely recognized on radiological images and described as normal findings in the radiological report, but sometimes they can cause patient access to the emergency department. Multiple possible complications have been described and most of them require prompt recognition by radiologists for proper clinical management. This commentary proposes a systematic approach to radiological reporting of the most common emergent complications related to medical devices with the intent to avoid the omission of important findings in the final radiological report.

scholarly journals Mobile Health Apps for Medical Emergencies: Systematic Review

10.2196/18513 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. e18513
Author(s):  
Alejandro Plaza Roncero ◽  
Gonçalo Marques ◽  
Beatriz Sainz-De-Abajo ◽  
Francisco Martín-Rodríguez ◽  
Carlos del Pozo Vegas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
App Store ◽  
Mobile Health Apps ◽  
Medical Emergencies ◽  
Google Play

Background Mobile health apps are used to improve the quality of health care. These apps are changing the current scenario in health care, and their numbers are increasing. Objective We wanted to perform an analysis of the current status of mobile health technologies and apps for medical emergencies. We aimed to synthesize the existing body of knowledge to provide relevant insights for this topic. Moreover, we wanted to identify common threads and gaps to support new challenging, interesting, and relevant research directions. Methods We reviewed the main relevant papers and apps available in the literature. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was used in this review. The search criteria were adopted using systematic methods to select papers and apps. On one hand, a bibliographic review was carried out in different search databases to collect papers related to each application in the health emergency field using defined criteria. On the other hand, a review of mobile apps in two virtual storage platforms (Google Play Store and Apple App Store) was carried out. The Google Play Store and Apple App Store are related to the Android and iOS operating systems, respectively. Results In the literature review, 28 papers in the field of medical emergency were included. These studies were collected and selected according to established criteria. Moreover, we proposed a taxonomy using six groups of applications. In total, 324 mobile apps were found, with 192 identified in the Google Play Store and 132 identified in the Apple App Store. Conclusions We found that all apps in the Google Play Store were free, and 73 apps in the Apple App Store were paid, with the price ranging from US $0.89 to US $5.99. Moreover, 39% (11/28) of the included studies were related to warning systems for emergency services and 21% (6/28) were associated with disaster management apps.

scholarly journals Μια επισκόπηση του πεδίου των εκπαιδευτικών φορητών εφαρμογών για παιδιά προσχολικής και πρώτης σχολικής ηλικίας.

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stamatios Papadakis ◽  
Michail Kalogiannakis
Keyword(s):  
App Store ◽  
Google Play

Στις μέρες μας, τα μέσα οθονών αφής έχουν στην κυριολεξία εκτοξευθεί και τα παιδιά νεαρής ηλικίας έχουν γίνει χρήστες των ψηφιακών τεχνολογιών, όπως είναι τα έξυπνα κινητά τηλέφωνα και οι ταμπλέτες. Αυτές οι συσκευές υιοθετούνται ολοένα και περισσότερο σε όλες τις προηγμένες χώρες, ουσιαστικά ως οικογενειακές συσκευές, ορισμένες φορές ως ‘ατομική ιδιοκτησία’ του παιδιού αποτελώντας την ‘πρώτη’ τους επιλογή, τόσο λόγω των χαρακτηριστικών τους όσο και της πληθώρας των συνοδευτικών τους εφαρμογών. Η δημοτικότητα των μέσων αυτών στα παιδιά νεαρής ηλικίας έχει οδηγήσει στην παραγωγή δεκάδων χιλιάδων φορητών εφαρμογών που υπάρχουν διαθέσιμες είτε δωρεάν είτε επί πληρωμή στα δυο δημοφιλή διαδικτυακά ηλεκτρονικά καταστήματα, Apple App Store και Google Play, και οι οποίες - θεωρητικά τουλάχιστον - έχουν σχεδιαστεί για να διδάσκουν ποικίλες μαθησιακές περιοχές. Ωστόσο, παρά την δεδηλωμένη επιθυμία και εν μέρει ανάγκη των γονέων και εκπαιδευτικών  να χρησιμοποιήσουν τις εφαρμογές αυτές, στην πλειονότητα τους οι διαθέσιμες εφαρμογές οι οποίες αυτοπροβάλλονται ως «εκπαιδευτικές», έχουν ελάχιστα δικαιώσει τον αυτοπροσδιορισμό τους, καθώς στην πλειοψηφία τους έχουν μηδαμινή ή ελάχιστη εκπαιδευτική αξία. Η παρούσα εργασία η οποία αποτελεί μια επισκόπηση του πεδίου επιχειρεί να αποτυπώσει την  κατάσταση που επικρατεί στο οικοσύστημα των εκπαιδευτικών εφαρμογών και την αναντίρρητη ανάγκη γονέων και εκπαιδευτικών για εφαρμογές με πραγματική εκπαιδευτική αξία.

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