35168 SkinTracker: A novel smartphone app enabling remote clinical research in dermatology

Abstract

A highly visual practice, dermatology as a field has significant potential to use emerging technology such as mobile applications for research and patient-centered mapping of the disease process. The UCSF team is working to create SkinTracker, a mobile application for patients with skin disease to remotely participate in clinical trials and research studies. The initial iteration of the application focuses on atopic dermatitis. The application includes an enrollment and consent module, validated surveys including the Patient Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for itch, link to a wearable device that collects biometric data, a voice diary, and a patient-directed photography module to facilitate physician evaluation of disease. Also included is the ability to report medication use, adverse events, and the ability to chat with the study team. The patient information is available to the research team on a secure online website, where researchers can assess patient photographs to perform Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scoring, note important patient observations from the voice diary, and view quantitative data from both patient surveys and health measures like physical activity, sleep, and environmental factors. We believe this application and website will facilitate patient interest and participation in research, continue research despite in-person restrictions placed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and allow enrollment of more diverse patients for clinical studies who would otherwise be less likely to participate in research due to time or financial constraints.