Mobile apps for professional dermatology education: an objective review

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Digital Health
• Dermatology

Background:

• Mobile applications provide accessible supplemental learning for medical trainees.
• Assessing the educational value of these dermatology apps is crucial before widespread adoption.
• Key assessment criteria include educational objectives, content quality, evidence-based accuracy, design, and bias.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate mobile dermatology applications using a standardized rubric.
• To assess apps for general dermatology, skin cancer, and cosmetic dermatology.
• To determine the affordability and accessibility of reviewed applications.

Main Methods:

• An established rubric was employed for a graded review of selected mobile dermatology apps.
• The review focused on educational objectives, content comprehensiveness, evidence-based accuracy, and user-friendliness.
• Affordability and accessibility were also key considerations in the evaluation.

Main Results:

• The study provides a structured assessment of mobile dermatology apps.
• Identified strengths and weaknesses of apps in key educational and usability domains.
• Highlighted the importance of a systematic approach to evaluating digital health tools for medical training.

Conclusions:

• A standardized rubric is essential for evaluating the quality and utility of mobile dermatology educational apps.
• Ensuring evidence-based accuracy, user-friendliness, and accessibility is vital for effective digital learning in dermatology.
• This systematic review aids in selecting reliable mobile resources for medical students and trainees.