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Smartphone apps in microbiology--is better regulation required?
A Visvanathan1, A Hamilton, R R W Brady
1NHS Lothian, Astley Ainslie Hospital, Edinburgh, UK.
Summary
Many medical apps lack professional oversight, raising concerns about diagnostic accuracy. A review found only 34% of microbiology apps involved medical professionals, highlighting a need for better quality control in healthcare apps.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Health Informatics
- Medical Technology
Background:
- The proliferation of medical applications (apps) in healthcare delivery is significant.
- Concerns exist regarding the accuracy and reliability of content in apps used for diagnosis and patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current landscape of microbiology-themed medical apps.
- To determine the prevalence of medical professional involvement in the development of these apps.
Main Methods:
- A systematic identification of microbiology-themed apps was conducted.
- The involvement of medical professionals in the development process was analyzed for each app.
Main Results:
- A total of 94 microbiology-themed apps were identified.
- Only 34% of these apps reported involvement from medical professionals in their development.
- A significant majority of apps lacked stated medical professional input.
Conclusions:
- The limited involvement of medical professionals in microbiology app development is a concern.
- This lack of oversight impacts users' ability to assess content quality and reliability.
- Increased regulatory measures are recommended to ensure patient safety and app quality.
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