Academic Journal
A Lot of Action, But Not in the Right Direction: Systematic Review and Content Analysis of Smartphone Applications for the Prevention, Detection, and Management of Cancer
| Title: | A Lot of Action, But Not in the Right Direction: Systematic Review and Content Analysis of Smartphone Applications for the Prevention, Detection, and Management of Cancer |
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| Authors: | Bender, Jacqueline Lorene, Yue, Rossini Ying Kwan, To, Matthew Jason, Deacken, Laetitia, Jadad, Alejandro R |
| Source: | Journal of Medical Internet Research, Vol 15, Iss 12, p e287 (2013) |
| Publisher Information: | JMIR Publications, 2013. |
| Publication Year: | 2013 |
| Collection: | LCC:Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics LCC:Public aspects of medicine |
| Subject Terms: | Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics, R858-859.7, Public aspects of medicine, RA1-1270 |
| More Details: | BackgroundMobile phones have become nearly ubiquitous, offering a promising means to deliver health interventions. However, little is known about smartphone applications (apps) for cancer. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to characterize the purpose and content of cancer-focused smartphone apps available for use by the general public and the evidence on their utility or effectiveness. MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of the official application stores for the four major smartphone platforms: iPhone, Android, Nokia, and BlackBerry. Apps were included in the review if they were focused on cancer and available for use by the general public. This was complemented by a systematic review of literature from MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify evaluations of cancer-related smartphone apps. ResultsA total of 295 apps from the smartphone app stores met the inclusion criteria. The majority of apps targeted breast cancer (46.8%, 138/295) or cancer in general (28.5%, 84/295). The reported app purpose was predominantly to raise awareness about cancer (32.2%, 95/295) or to provide educational information about cancer (26.4%, 78/295), followed by apps to support fundraising efforts (12.9%, 38/295), assist in early detection (11.5%, 34/295), promote a charitable organization (10.2%, 30/295), support disease management (3.7%, 11/295), cancer prevention (2.0%, 6/295), or social support (1.0%, 3/295). The majority of the apps did not describe their organizational affiliation (64.1%, 189/295). Apps affiliated with non-profit organizations were more likely to be free of cost (χ21=16.3, P |
| Document Type: | article |
| File Description: | electronic resource |
| Language: | English |
| ISSN: | 1438-8871 |
| Relation: | http://www.jmir.org/2013/12/e287/; https://doaj.org/toc/1438-8871 |
| DOI: | 10.2196/jmir.2661 |
| Access URL: | https://doaj.org/article/eec8ab85accf4fc19a6f0731c34bd31f |
| Accession Number: | edsdoj.8ab85accf4fc19a6f0731c34bd31f |
| Database: | Directory of Open Access Journals |
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| ISSN: | 14388871 |
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| DOI: | 10.2196/jmir.2661 |
| Published in: | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| Language: | English |