Mantica G, Malinaric R, Dotta F, Paraboschi I, Guano G, Rebuffo S, Garriboli M, Suardi N, Van der Merwe A, Terrone C. Urology apps: overview of current types and use.
Cent European J Urol 2020;
73:369-372. [PMID:
33133667 PMCID:
PMC7587494 DOI:
10.5173/ceju.2020.0090]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction
In recent years numerous applications have been developed with different purposes, aimed both at simplifying the lives of doctors and patients also within the urological field.
Material and methods
In January 2020 we conducted a search in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Results
A total of 521 apps were reviewed, an increase of 8 times as compared to the last complete available review of eight years ago. Most of the urological apps are geared towards the patient and provide information and services to improve the understanding and treatment of different diseases. Some of these apps also get the patient directly in touch with healthcare staff allowing for an improvement in doctor-patient communication.
Conclusions
Although the usefulness of many of these tools is undoubted, the problem of scientific validation, content control and privacy are not yet solved.
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