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Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer among all men and the second most common cause of death. To ameliorate the burden of prostate cancer, there is a critical need to identify strategies for providing men with information about prostate cancer screening and the importance of informed decision making. With mobile phones bec...
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Background
Because conventional prostate biopsy has some limitations, optimal variations of prostate biopsy strategies have emerged to improve the diagnosis rate of prostate cancer. We conducted the systematic review to compare the diagnosis rate and complications of transperineal versus transrectal prostate biopsy.
Main body of the abstract
We se...
Citations
... It can also provide the radiologist with an accurate tool to help interpret the images easily. However, a number of applications for prostate cancer have not been scientifically verified [16,24]. There are concerns about high readability standards and lack of updates to current prostate cancer information. ...
... Patients, physicians, and radiologists must use prostate cancer apps with full awareness of their limitations to ensure safe and responsible use. These findings are entirely consistent with recent research conducted by [16,24] who assert that existing apps for prostate cancer are in their infancy and need to be further developed before they can be widely integrated into existing clinical practice. ...
Many prostate cancer health applications are available on the software market. The main software solutions focus on helping patients cope with prostate cancer, helping urologists manage medical records and helping radiologists interpret multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging. Some of these applications for prostate cancer make use of artificial intelligence. It is believed that artificial intelligence will play a key role in facilitating the clinical practice of health professionals and providing psychological support to patients. This study aims to assess the quality of commercially available applications for prostate cancer management.
... The app was developed for Black breast cancer survivors and their first-degree relatives. Content and images were culturally informed, which is essential to improve the effectiveness of the intervention [47] and a component lacking in many publicly available cancer education app [48]. However, participants in the pilot study did not report awareness of the app being created for Black users. ...
Background:
Breast cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related death in women in the United States, disproportionately affects women from minoritized or low socioeconomic backgrounds. The average woman has an approximately 12% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Lifetime risk nearly doubles if a woman has a first-degree relative with breast cancer, and the risk increases as multiple family members are affected. Decreasing sedentary behaviors through moving more and sitting less reduces breast cancer risk and improves outcomes for cancer survivors and healthy adults. Digital health solutions, such as mobile apps that are culturally appropriate, designed with input from the target audience, and include social support, are effective at improving health behaviors.
Objective:
This study aimed to develop and evaluate the usability and acceptability of a prototype app designed with a human-centered approach to promote moving more and sitting less in Black breast cancer survivors and their first-degree relatives (parent, child, or sibling).
Methods:
This 3-phase study consisted of app development, user testing, and evaluation of user engagement and usability. Key community stakeholders were engaged in the first 2 (qualitative) phases to provide input into developing the prototype app (MoveTogether). After development and user testing, a usability pilot was conducted. Participants were adult breast cancer survivors who identified as Black and agreed to participate with a relative. Participants used the app and a step-tracking watch for 4 weeks. App components included goal setting and reporting, reminders, dyad messaging, and educational resources. Usability and acceptability were assessed with a questionnaire that included the System Usability Scale (SUS) and semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and content analysis.
Results:
Participants in the usability pilot (n=10) were aged 30 to 50 years (6/10, 60%), not married (8/10, 80%), and college graduates (5/10, 50%). The app was used on average 20.2 (SD 8.9) out of 28 days-SUS score of 72 (range 55-95)-and 70% (7/10) agreed that the app was acceptable, helpful, and gave them new ideas. Additionally, 90% (9/10) found the dyad component helpful and would recommend the app to friends. Qualitative findings suggest that the goal-setting feature was helpful and that the dyad partner (buddy) provided accountability. Participants were neutral regarding the cultural appropriateness of the app.
Conclusions:
The MoveTogether app and related components were acceptable for promoting moving more in dyads of breast cancer survivors and their first-degree relatives. The human-centered approach, which involved engaging community members in the development, is a model for future technology development work. Future work should be done to further develop the intervention based on the findings and then test its efficacy to improve sedentary behavior while considering culturally informed strategies for adoption and implementation within the community.
Trial registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05011279; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05011279.
... First, HMs are relatively rare; according to the Global Cancer Observatory, HMs account for an estimated 6.8% of all cancers worldwide [1]. Similarly, systematic searches for diseases with low prevalence tend to find few apps directed to patients [1,24,40,41]. Second, strict exclusion criteria were applied for app selection-specifically, the exclusion of apps aimed at health care professionals, which may encompass half of the health apps [42]. ...
Background
Hematological malignancies (HMs) are a heterogeneous group of cancers representing a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The chronification of HMs and the increasing use of smartphones may lead patients to seek their current unmet needs through mobile health apps.
Objective
The goal of this review was to identify and assess the quality of smartphone apps aimed at patients diagnosed with HMs.
Methods
A systematic search of apps that were aimed at patients diagnosed with HMs, accessed from a Spain IP address, and were available on the iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play) platforms was conducted in November 2021. The search terms used were “hematology,” “blood cancer,” “leukemia,” “lymphoma,” and “myeloma” apps in English, Spanish, or both languages. The identified apps were downloaded and analyzed independently by 2 reviewers. Information about general app characteristics was collected. The Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) was used to assess quality. The resulting parameter of the analyses, the mean score of the apps, was compared by Student t test.
Results
Overall, 18 apps were identified; 7 were available on Android, 5 were available on iOS, and 6 were available on both platforms. All included apps were free; 3 were published in 2021, and among the apps published before 2021, only 6 were updated in 2021. Most (16/18, 89%) of the apps were aimed at patients with leukemia or lymphoma (16). The primary purposes of the apps were to provide general information about the condition (16/18, 89%) and monitor symptoms and clinical parameters (11/18, 61%). Health care professionals contributed to the development of 50% (9/18) of apps; 6 were owned and supported by scientific societies, and 3 were developed with the participation of health care professionals. The mean MARS score for the overall quality of the apps was 3.1 (SD 1.0). The engagement and aesthetics subscales were the lowest rated subscales, with only 44% (8/18) and 67% (12/18), respectively, of the apps obtaining acceptable scores. None of the included apps proved clinical efficacy through clinical trials in patients with HMs. Statistically significant differences were found in the MARS scores between operating systems (+1.0, P=.003) in favor of iOS apps. The participation of health care professionals in the development of the apps did not have a statistically significant impact on the MARS scores.
Conclusions
This systematic search and evaluation identified few acceptable quality mobile apps for patients with HMs. Current and future apps for patients with HMs should provide evidence-based valuable information, improve user engagement, incorporate functions according to patient preferences, and generate evidence regarding the efficacy of app use by patients with HMs.
... We assessed apps' usability heuristics to assess the degree to which human-computer interaction techniques were used to ensure each app's broad usability. We adapted a measure of heuristics to an app review by Owens et al. [24] We selected these criteria because they assessed multiple dimensions of usability that are important for people with limited time and energy in addition to vulnerability based on their health status. Owen's heuristics assessed ten domains with three items for each domain: visibility, real world applicability, consistency, user control and freedom, error prevention, recognition rather than recall, flexibility and efficiency of use, aesthetic and minimalist design, error recovery, and help and documentation. ...
... We assessed each app's readability using the Readability.io website which applies multiple readability assessments including the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning Fog Index, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, and Automated-Reading Index also used in similar studies [24]. Readability was based on the words from the app description, main app page, and a subpage with at least 250 words. ...
Objective
Greater emphasis on patient empowerment has led to a plethora of mobile health applications aimed at empowering patients with cancer. However, the rigor and evidence of these apps are rarely acknowledged. This systematic review of patient empowerment apps describes the characteristics, quality, heuristics, and evidence supporting these apps.
Materials and Methods
We identified commercially available apps through the Apple and Google Play stores using patient- and research-derived conceptualizations of patient empowerment. Three authors used the Mobile App Rating Scale, heuristics, readability, user ratings, and evidence to evaluate the apps’ foci, features, and quality. App characteristics were summarized with descriptive analyses.
Results
Twelve apps met the eligibility criteria and were analyzed. Apps’ content focused on enhancing communication skills (n=10, 83.3%), social support (n=8, 66.7%), information about cancer and treatment (n=8, 66.7%), and peer-to-peer support (n=5, 41.7%). The mean objective (3.9±0.5 out of 5) and subjective (3.7±1.0 out of 5) quality scores were moderate to high. Most heuristics were not violated, and the mean reading level was 10th grade, which is above the recommended 8th grade level. Four apps had been evaluated in published research articles.
Discussion
The contents of patient empowerment apps varied greatly, and the readability was exclusionary to the average reader. Apps
Conclusion
Patient empowerment apps should be more rigorously designed and tested to ensure the apps are usable and beneficial to diverse groups of cancer survivors.
... There has been a surge of research into utilising technology to communicate health information. Owens, Beer, Reyes, and Thomas (2019) noted that more people are using their phones as sources for health information. Recent technological advances have led to the development and use of mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps). ...
... This is reflected in the finding that 96% of participants stated this app influenced their opinion positively towards screening attendance or recommending it. Studies on the tone of language used within public health apps have suggested that stating negative consequences could lead the user to actively seek screening (Owens et al., 2019). The AAA app stated both negative consequences and positive consequences including the chance of death with a ruptured/rupture AAA. ...
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) are asymptomatic with advanced age and male sex being risk factors. Due to their significant mortality rate, the NHS AAA Screening programme was introduced in 2012. However, this is not as well-supported compared to other programmes. When it comes to AAA and its screening, health information is also available from different sources potentially leading to confusion. Based on this, our aim was to develop a prototype mobile application on AAA and its screening, centralising all key information, for the general public. Another aim was to assess the app's usability and impact (i.e. users' perceptions about screening attendance and knowledge of AAA). 24 participants completed a pre-app questionnaire followed by app testing and a post-app questionnaire. Ethical approval was granted from the Glasgow School of Art. 75% of participants had never heard of AAA and 92% had never heard of its screening. After app use, the participants' AAA knowledge significantly increased (Z = -4.318, p < 0.001). App use and opinion of screening attendance were also statistically associated (X1[1, n = 24] = 6.857, p < 0.05). The app's usability was rated positively in the USE questionnaire. Research is needed on public health apps regarding their impact on screening uptake and public knowledge.
... The benefits of smartphone technology in healthcare have been examined by several systematic reviews, particularly from the perspectives of assisting clinicians to manage patients' health, such as by using text messaging services and applications (Berrouiguet et al., 2016;Roeing et al., 2017;Stephens and Allen, 2013), aiding patients with selfmanagement (Hosseinpour and Terlutter, 2019;Majeed-Ariss et al., 2015;Park et al., 2014), and encouraging clinicians and patients to work collaboratively (Clark et al., 2018;Hou et al., 2018;Linares-del Rey et al., 2019). Further reviews have focussed on the use of smartphone technology in patient education (Owens et al., 2018;Saffari et al., 2014;Zanetti-Yabur et al., 2017), and clinician education (Haffey et al., 2014). ...
Background
Smartphones are ubiquitous, and for some, an indispensable companion. In nursing education curricula and clinical healthcare settings, smartphones have the potential to augment student learning. Nursing students report significant benefits to smartphone use, which extend beyond learning, to include enhanced communication, clinical decision making and evidence-based practice. Despite these benefits, little is known about the negative impact of smartphones on student learning.
Objectives
This integrative review aimed to synthesise findings from published research that referred to the detrimental direct or indirect effect of smartphone usage on nursing students.
Design
The integrative review was guided by the five-stage approach as conceptualised by Whittemore and Knafl (2005).
Methods
Seven electronic databases were systematically searched in consultation with a university librarian (CINAHL Plus, Ovid Medline ALL, Nursing and Allied Health Database, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus and ERIC) using a combination of key search terms and medical subject headings. A total of 646 articles were retrieved, and following removal of duplicates, screening of titles and abstracts, a final 27 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review.
Results
Studies in the review originated from Korea (n= 7), Turkey (n=6), India (n=4), Spain (n=3), USA (n=2), Spain/Portugal (n=1), Iran (n=1), France (n=1), Canada (n=1) and Egypt (n=1). Personal smartphone use was reported to be a distraction within clinical and classroom learning, and considered as uncivil, and compromised professionalism. Frequently, smartphones were used for entertainment (e.g. social networking) rather than professional purposes. The studies identified a concerning level of nomophobia and smartphone addiction amongst nursing students that caused stress and anxiety, and adversely affected sleep, learning and academic performance. Recommendations were proposed for smartphone policies.
Conclusions
Excessive smartphones use among nursing students may adversely affect physical and mental health and potentially impact on student learning within the classroom and clinical environment. Educators should consider the implementation of policies or guidance for the responsible use of smartphones by nursing students whilst in the classroom setting and during clinical placement, to mitigate the potential negative impact on health and academic performance.
... However, available prostate cancer education on social media varies in quality; one study revealed that 77% of YouTube videos on prostate cancer education contained potentially misinformative or biased content, demonstrating that reliable sources must be developed and differentiated from inaccurate education materials [127]. Educational apps show similar trends, revealing that some prostate cancer educational apps lacked comprehensive and culturally appropriate content [128]. Last, but importantly, educational models should be chosen based on the needs of the community, as the varied preferences and efficacy of each method make the findings location-specific [129]. ...
Prostate cancer remains the leading diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death among American men. Despite improvements in screening modalities, diagnostics, and treatment, disparities exist among Black men in this country. The primary objective of this systematic review is to describe the reported disparities in screening, diagnostics, and treatments as well as efforts to alleviate these disparities through community and educational outreach efforts. Critical review took place of retrospective, prospective, and socially descriptive data of English language publications in the PubMed database. Despite more advanced presentation, lower rates of screening and diagnostic procedures, and low rates of trial inclusion, subanalyses have shown that various modalities of therapy are quite effective in Black populations. Moreover, patients treated on prospective clinical trials and within equal-access care environments have shown similar outcomes regardless of race. Additional prospective studies and enhanced participation in screening, diagnostic and genetic testing, clinical trials, and community-based educational endeavors are important to ensure equitable progress in prostate cancer for all patients.
Implications for Practice
Notable progress has been made with therapeutic advances for prostate cancer, but racial disparities continue to exist. Differing rates in screening and utility in diagnostic procedures play a role in these disparities. Black patients often present with more advanced disease, higher prostate-specific antigen, and other adverse factors, but outcomes can be attenuated in trials or in equal-access care environments. Recent data have shown that multiple modalities of therapy are quite effective in Black populations. Novel and bold hypotheses to increase inclusion in clinical trial, enhance decentralized trial efforts, and enact successful models of patient navigation and community partnership are vital to ensure continued progress in prostate cancer disparities.
... Eine breitere Anwendung zeigt sich jedoch für nicht ganz so zeitkritische Erkrankungen, sodass gerade im Bereich erektiler Dysfunktion durch Telemedizin v. a. in den USA Start-ups viele Patienten erreichen [22]. Neben telemedizinischen Lösungen liegt ein Schwerpunkt der aktuellen Anwendungen auf Patientenedukation, wobei viele verfügbare Apps noch kein standardmäßig hohes Niveau erreichen [23]. Am Beispiel Urolithiasis lässt sich zudem zeigen, dass Smartphone-Applikationen sogar teilweise schädlich sein können, wenn sie nicht medizinisch korrekten Inhalt gewährleisten [24]. ...
Zusammenfassung
Die COVID-19-Pandemie hat eine Welle der Digitalisierung in der Medizin ausgelöst. Der Einsatz modernster Technologien wird in den folgenden Jahren Routinediagnostik und Therapieansätze revolutionieren und die Arzt-Patienten-Beziehung positiv beeinflussen. Die Verwendung von AI („artifical intelligence“) und Big Data ist neben den Entwicklungen der mHealth („mobile health“) einer der bedeutendsten Meilensteine im Aufbau eines digitalen und intelligenten Gesundheitssystems.
... 13,14,23,24,31 In terms of the type of interventions, 3 studies (13%) included the mHealth intervention with video systems. 14,28,30 The comprehensive characteristics of included papers are summarized in Table 1. ...
... Some app characteristics of contents and features were categorized according to the functions and impacts: 17 These are providing information (39.1%), 4,9,17,19,21,24,27,29,31 planning (goal-setting) (8.6%), 13,24 positive feedback (17.3%), 14,23,24,31 monitoring and evaluation (8.6%), 9,17 decision-making (26%), 1,9,17,20,21,27 education and training (30.4%), 9,17,[20][21][22]24,28 health awareness information (8.6%), 4,24 remote clinical diagnosis (30.4%), 9,15,22,26,30,32,33 16,20,21,29,31 availability and accessibility (17.3%) 9,25,28,31 and clinical assistance (21.7%). 4,14,22,24,31 Furthermore, additional app characteristics, such as selfmonitoring and self-diagnosing 18,31 accuracy, 30 enhanced visual image and high-quality image, improved screening strategy, 26 transfer and collect data, 9 increased health behaviour management, 4 personal risk assessment, 24 recommendations, 22 classifications, 20,21,22 flexibility, 29 interaction and supporting job aid, 17 medical records, 16 avoidance of unnecessary interventions and biopsy, 19,27 risk calculator, 19 reduced time to detect, mobile teledermatology, 18 and low cost and portable, 15 were extracted from this study. ...
... There are multiple potential confounding factors that are believed to have influenced the receipt of mammography in both groups, 1 of which is monthly phone calls to verify the receipt of mammogram over the 6-month follow-up. Owens et al, 28 in addition, reported the lack of instructions available for education. ...
Introduction
Mobile health is an emerging technology around the world that can be effective in cancer screening. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of mobile health applications on cancer screening.
Methods
We conducted a systematic literature review of studies related to the use of mobile health applications in cancer screening. We also conducted a comprehensive search of articles on cancer screening related to the use of mobile health applications in journals published between January 1, 2008, and January 31, 2019, using 5 databases: IEEE, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct and PubMed.
Results
A total of 23 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the present review. All studies have identified positive effects of applications on cancer screening and clinical health outcomes. Furthermore, more than half of mobile applications had multiple functions such as providing information, planning and education. Moreover, most of the studies, which examined the satisfaction of patients and quality improvement, showed healthcare application users have significantly higher satisfaction of living and it leads to improving quality.
Conclusion
This study found that the use of mobile health applications has a positive impact on health-related behaviours and outcomes. Application users were more satisfied with applying mobile health applications to manage their health condition in comparison with users who received conventional care.
... Mobile apps for providing education regarding prostate cancer have also been developed. Owens conducted a systematic review of phone apps for prostate cancer education [40]. Out of the 14 apps evaluated, none contained the full breadth of information covered in the 2016 American Cancer Society's Prostate Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Guidelines. ...
Purpose
Smartphone technology has propelled the evolution of health-related mobile technology, referred to as mobile health (mHealth). With the rise of smartphone ownership and the growing popularity of health-related smartphone usage, mHealth offers potential benefits for both patients and health care providers. The objective of this review is to assess the current state of smartphone technology in urology.
Methods
A literature search of PubMed database was conducted to identify articles reporting on smartphone technology in urology. Publications were included if they focused on smartphone mHealth technology pertinent to the field of urology or included an evaluation of urological applications in digital stores.
Results
We identified 50 publications focused on the use of smartphones in urology. Studies were then grouped into the following categories: smartphones employing the built-in camera and light source, applications specific to prostate cancer, urolithiasis, pediatric urology, and as educational tools for urologists. In 23/50 (46%) studies, smartphone technology/intervention was compared to a control group or to standard of care. In this regard, smartphone technology did not demonstrate benefit over standard of care in 13 studies. In contrast, in 10 studies, smartphone interventions were proven beneficial over current practice.
Conclusions
Smartphone technology is constantly evolving and has the potential to improve urological care and education. Of concern to consumer and urologist alike is that these downloadable programs are limited due to the accuracy of their content, risk of confidentiality breach, and the lack of central regulation and professional involvement in their development.
