Abstract B9: Smartphone applications as a source of cancer information

Abstract

Abstract The increasing popularity and advent of newer, better and relevant application programs (apps) has made smart phones an important source of healthcare information. This study was done to evaluate the role iPhone apps as a source of information on cancer among its users. The iTunes app store (www.apple.com/itunes) was searched for apps using the phrases cancer and oncology and a list of apps were downloaded. The search was limited to apps available for iPhones only. A total of 93 apps were downloaded and the content of each app was analyzed in detail for the kind of information, the aimed audience, scientific accuracy and usefulness of the information as determined by two independent observers. 16 apps were excluded from the study since they did not have any cancer related information. The user perceived usefulness of the apps was determined by the user ratings and reviews obtained from iTunes store and the popularity was determined by average ranking of apps (in terms of no of downloads) over past 1 year obtained from www.appfigures.com. A total of 77 apps were included in the study. Although only 25% apps were uploaded by health care agencies, more than half (54%) of the apps contained useful information that was clinically and scientifically accurate. 27% apps had useful information based on non-evidence based and anecdotal recommendations while 18% apps had misleading information with no scientific basis or rationale. 31% apps contained information about the symptoms, diagnosis and management of the disease, 21% contained information about preventive measures. 32% apps had information pertaining to news, updates and facts about the disease. 42% apps were available free of cost. 63% apps were aimed for the general population. 65% of these had information about symptoms, diagnosis, risk assessment, management and prevention of the disease and only 33% had scientifically validated information. 37% apps were aimed for health professionals, the majority of which (63%) contained information about news and updates about the disease and 95% had scientifically valid information. 66% apps were considered moderately to highly useful based on the user ratings and reviews. This percentage was significantly higher for the apps meant for general population as compared to the healthcare community. Cancers Apps were found to be increasingly popular among users. 31% apps had an average rank of under 200 over past 1 year based on the number of downloads. Most popular apps were the ones with scientifically accurate information, aimed at the general population, not uploaded by agencies related to the healthcare and contained information about prevention of the disease. iPhone apps are an important source of information about cancer and are fast becoming popular among users. Increasing the number of apps uploaded by health care agencies with scientifically accurate information would be a step in the right direction for using this media as a health promotion tool against cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2011;4(10 Suppl):B9.