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

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.

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

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 2012-2023). Six databases (Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus) were searched, identifying 18 052 results. Nine studies (comprising nine apps) were included in the final analysis.

Skin conditions and issues targeted included skin cancer (n = 3); sun protection (n = 3); chronic pruritus (n = 2); cutaneous leishmaniasis (n = 1); spina bifida (n = 1); and a study of acne, psoriasis, rosacea, laser treatments, actinic damage, monitoring benign moles, alopecia and inflammatory rash. 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 semistructured interviews, were predominantly employed. Common emerging themes included ease of use and navigation, comprehensibility, security and privacy concerns, data sharing issues, customizability, costs, and the ability to track progress or self-monitor.

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