BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: one of the groups that can benefit most from healthcare applications, are cancer patients. However, not all applications have a sufficient level of evidence. Our objective is to analyze the characteristics of mobile healthcare applications for cancer patients and know the reliability of their information. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a descriptive observational study of mobile apps targeting cancer patients. In November 2014, we searched mobile applications for cancer patients in the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android), using the terms "cancer" and "oncology" (English and/or Spanish languages). Applications were downloaded and evaluated. We registered their general characteristics (classification of cancer, last date of actualization, language and others) and their purpose (whether were informative, diagnostic, or preventive purposes) on an Excel® chart. The analysis was completed with an internet search to analyze their scientific evidence. RESULTS: one hundred and sixty six applications were downloaded. 23.5% were destined for breast cancer. 52.4% upgraded their software in the last year. 98.2 % were in English. Most of the applications had more than one purpose. The most frequent were informative (39.8%), diagnostic (38.6%) and preventive (28.3%). 50.6% presented sufficient scientific evidence. CONCLUSIONS: there are many benefits that are expected from these applications. However, we detected a lack of validity of the information, as well as lack of update of the data. To prevent these apps from becoming a safety problem rather than a useful tool for patients, regulation should be put in place. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: one of the groups that can benefit most from healthcare applications, are cancerpatients. However, not all applications have a sufficient level of evidence. Our objective is to analyze the characteristics of mobile healthcare applications for cancerpatients and know the reliability of their information. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a descriptive observational study of mobile apps targeting cancerpatients. In November 2014, we searched mobile applications for cancerpatients in the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android), using the terms "cancer" and "oncology" (English and/or Spanish languages). Applications were downloaded and evaluated. We registered their general characteristics (classification of cancer, last date of actualization, language and others) and their purpose (whether were informative, diagnostic, or preventive purposes) on an Excel® chart. The analysis was completed with an internet search to analyze their scientific evidence. RESULTS: one hundred and sixty six applications were downloaded. 23.5% were destined for breast cancer. 52.4% upgraded their software in the last year. 98.2 % were in English. Most of the applications had more than one purpose. The most frequent were informative (39.8%), diagnostic (38.6%) and preventive (28.3%). 50.6% presented sufficient scientific evidence. CONCLUSIONS: there are many benefits that are expected from these applications. However, we detected a lack of validity of the information, as well as lack of update of the data. To prevent these apps from becoming a safety problem rather than a useful tool for patients, regulation should be put in place. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.
Authors: Kerstin A Kessel; Marco M E Vogel; Friederike Schmidt-Graf; Stephanie E Combs Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2016-11-24 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Kerstin Anne Kessel; Marco Me Vogel; Carmen Kessel; Henning Bier; Tilo Biedermann; Helmut Friess; Peter Herschbach; Rüdiger von Eisenhart-Rothe; Bernhard Meyer; Marion Kiechle; Ulrich Keller; Christian Peschel; Roland M Schmid; Stephanie E Combs Journal: JMIR Mhealth Uhealth Date: 2017-06-14 Impact factor: 4.773