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Smartphone as a Disease Screening Tool: A Systematic Review
Jeban Chandir Moses1, Sasan Adibi1, Nilmini Wickramasinghe2
1School of Information Technology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 28, 2022
Summary
Smartphone apps show promise for early disease detection, offering a viable alternative for screening disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This technology demonstrates statistical significance and user acceptance for accessible healthcare solutions.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health
- Medical Technology
- Public Health
Background:
- COVID-19 disrupted essential healthcare services, including disease screening for conditions like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Smartphones offer a cost-effective platform for disease screening and monitoring due to integrated sensors and wireless capabilities.
- There is a need to evaluate the efficacy and acceptance of smartphone applications in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and evaluate the utilization of smartphone applications for disease screening.
- To assess the acceptability of smartphone-based screening technology among patients and healthcare professionals.
- To identify critical considerations for developing equitable and accessible smartphone healthcare solutions.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review was conducted using four major databases: Medline Complete, Web of Science, Embase, and Proquest.
- Articles published in English focusing on smartphone application use in disease screening were included.
- Nine selected studies were analyzed, categorizing findings into literature overview, participant characteristics, disease screening methods, and technology acceptance.
Main Results:
- The review identified smartphone applications as a statistically significant tool comparable to standard clinical screening methods.
- Disease screening approaches using smartphones were classified into clinically administered, health-worker-administered, and home-based screening, each comprising 33% of the reviewed studies.
- Both users and healthcare practitioners showed acceptance of smartphone applications for disease screening.
Conclusions:
- Smartphone applications represent a valid and reliable approach for disease screening, potentially overcoming barriers to healthcare access.
- Further research is warranted to explore the full potential of smartphone solutions in enhancing screening accessibility and quality.
- Designing and deploying these solutions requires careful consideration to ensure equity and minimize healthcare disparities.
