Identification and Rating of Gynecologic Oncology Applications Using the APPLICATIONS Scoring System.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Currently, there are thousands of medical applications (apps) on the market potentially leading to app overload. Finding useful and accurate apps may be time-consuming and frustrating to gynecologic oncologists. INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to identify and rate gynecologic oncology (gyn-onc) apps using the APPLICATIONS scoring system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A list of nonconsumer gyn-onc apps was identified from the Apple iTunes and Google Play Stores. Based on reliable references, inaccurate apps were excluded. The remaining apps were rated with the APPLICATIONS scoring system, which uses both objective and subjective measures. RESULTS: Of 748 apps identified, 11 (1.5%) were found to be both useful and accurate to gyn-onc providers. The apps with the lowest scores were calculator apps, while those with the highest scores were informational apps. DISCUSSION: We found useful and accurate calculator, screening, staging, and informational apps. However, a large number of the apps found were considered inaccurate or non-gyn-onc specific. CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic method for identifying and rating apps with the APPLICATIONS scoring system can be applied within other subspecialties of obstetrics and gynecology and other specialties of medicine to offer providers with apps in clinical care.