A study on mobile health applications in dermatology

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the profile of mobile health applications in the field of dermatology.

Method: The data of the study performed in cross-sectional type have been obtained from App Store between August – September 2017.  All applications in health, fitness and medical categories in App Store, have been scanned according to the criteria specified and those which are related to dermatology have been included in the study.  A total of 219 applications have been examined in total.

Results: When the content of health applications in dermatology is examined, 70 (32%) of 219 applications are the ones in the form of questions and answers and data sharing towards increasing the level of knowledge and education among physicians and medical students.  When it was tried to determine to which are the mobile applications were directed, it was found that of the first three applications developed the most, 160 (73.1%) were in the field of general dermatology, 21 (9.6%) were in Dermatocosmetology and 13 (5.9%) were in Dermatoscopy, and the least developed application was in the field of Dermatology + Plastic Surgery with 2 (0.9%).  When the status of whether the application is paid examined, it was determined that 145 (66.2%) were free, and when we evaluate their languages, it was determined that 218 (99.5%) applications were in English.

Conclusions: In general, dissemination of these applications, which make it easy for the physicians, medical students, patients and those who access the applications to reach up to date information and to follow and manage the disease and health status in the field of dermatology could be considered as a positive finding.