PubMed RSS Feed - -Usability evaluation and reporting for mobile health apps targeting patients with skin diseases: a systematic review

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Clin Exp Dermatol. 2024 Oct 7:llae378. doi: 10.1093/ced/llae378. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Usability is an important method for evaluating mobile health apps from a user perspective. Yet, many publicly available apps lack adequate attention to their design, development, and evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: To assess usability evaluation and reporting for mobile health apps targeting patients with skin diseases.

METHODS: The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022347184). A search strategy combined terms for usability evaluation, user experience, skin disease and mobile health apps (search date from 2012 to 2023). Six databases (Embase, Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus) were searched, identifying 18052 results. Nine studies (comprising 9 apps) were included in the final analysis.

RESULTS: Skin conditions/issues targeted included skin cancer (n=3), sun protection (n=3), and one study identified for each of the following: chronic pruritus/acne/psoriasis/rosacea/laser treatments/actinic damage/monitoring benign moles/alopecia/inflammatory rash/cutaneous leishmaniasis/spina bifida. All studies assessed app usability and feasibility, with the majority concluding that the apps were deemed useful and easy to use. Qualitative methods, such as usability questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, were predominantly employed. Common emerging themes included ease of use and navigation, comprehensibility, security/privacy concerns, data sharing issues, customizability, costs, and the ability to track progress or self-monitor.

CONCLUSIONS: While smartphone applications for skin disorders show promising usability across diverse diseases, the limited literature compared to the rapid app development highlights the need for meticulous user-centered design and rigorous evaluation. The study emphasises the importance of evaluating and reporting usability findings to optimize the long-term adoption of mobile health apps, particularly those targeting skin diseases.

PMID:39373121 | DOI:10.1093/ced/llae378

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