Eczema apps conformance with clinical guidelines: a systematic assessment of functions, tools and content
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Supporting information
Accepted version
Author(s)
van Galen, LS
Xu, X
Koh, MJA
Thng, S
Car, J
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
Eczema is a prevalent complex skin condition requiring active disease monitoring and personalized education. No studies have assessed the quality of apps that aim to support eczema self‐management.
Objectives
To evaluate the quality and comprehensiveness of English, Chinese and Spanish self‐management eczema smartphone apps for patients and/or their caregivers.
Methods
A systematic assessment of eczema apps from July 2018 to November 2018. The assessment criteria were based on conformance with international eczema guidelines. The following domains were assessed: consistency and comprehensiveness of eczema‐specific educational information; quality and comprehensiveness of eczema‐specific tracking functions; compliance with health information best practice principles.
Results
In total, 98 apps were assessed: 82 (84%) provided educational information; 38 (39%) tracking functions; and 13 (13%) both. We found that 34% (28/82) of apps provided misleading information, particularly regarding aspects of treatment and disease progression of eczema. Only 15% (12/82) provided international guideline supported information on pharmacological therapies and 16% (13/82) on nonpharmacological therapies. Among 38 apps with a tracking function, 82% (31/38) measured specific symptoms, disease severity or current skin condition and 89% (34/38) helped users to record medication usage including application of topicals. Environmental or dietary allergens were recorded by 34% (13/38). None of the included apps complied with all criteria for educational information, tracking functions or health information principles.
Conclusions
Eczema apps have not yet reached their potential. The large variance in quality of eczema apps highlights the need for quality assurance mechanisms for health apps and guidance for clinicians that would enable them to make personalized recommendations for patients and caregivers.
Eczema is a prevalent complex skin condition requiring active disease monitoring and personalized education. No studies have assessed the quality of apps that aim to support eczema self‐management.
Objectives
To evaluate the quality and comprehensiveness of English, Chinese and Spanish self‐management eczema smartphone apps for patients and/or their caregivers.
Methods
A systematic assessment of eczema apps from July 2018 to November 2018. The assessment criteria were based on conformance with international eczema guidelines. The following domains were assessed: consistency and comprehensiveness of eczema‐specific educational information; quality and comprehensiveness of eczema‐specific tracking functions; compliance with health information best practice principles.
Results
In total, 98 apps were assessed: 82 (84%) provided educational information; 38 (39%) tracking functions; and 13 (13%) both. We found that 34% (28/82) of apps provided misleading information, particularly regarding aspects of treatment and disease progression of eczema. Only 15% (12/82) provided international guideline supported information on pharmacological therapies and 16% (13/82) on nonpharmacological therapies. Among 38 apps with a tracking function, 82% (31/38) measured specific symptoms, disease severity or current skin condition and 89% (34/38) helped users to record medication usage including application of topicals. Environmental or dietary allergens were recorded by 34% (13/38). None of the included apps complied with all criteria for educational information, tracking functions or health information principles.
Conclusions
Eczema apps have not yet reached their potential. The large variance in quality of eczema apps highlights the need for quality assurance mechanisms for health apps and guidance for clinicians that would enable them to make personalized recommendations for patients and caregivers.
Date Issued
2020-02-01
Date Acceptance
2019-05-17
Citation
British Journal of Dermatology, 2020, 182 (2), pp.444-453
ISSN
1365-2133
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
444
End Page
453
Journal / Book Title
British Journal of Dermatology
Volume
182
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Galen, L. , Xu, X. , Koh, M. , Thng, S. and Car, J. (2019), Eczema apps conformance with clinical guidelines: a systematic assessment of functions, tools and content. Br J Dermatol, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.18152
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000476066200001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Dermatology
ATOPIC-DERMATITIS
SMARTPHONE APPS
HEALTH
EPIDEMIOLOGY
MANAGEMENT
IMPACT
PREVALENCE
DIAGNOSIS
CHILDREN
CARE
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2019-06-09