ABSTRACT
The market for medical apps is rapidly expanding - both for professional use as well as for patient centered apps. There are numerous medical apps, but relevant information about their limitations and dangers is rarely available. In an exemplary evaluation of n=8 medical apps, deficits regarding data integrity, one half had security and privacy issues. Since standard users usually have neither the equipment, know-how nor time for such analyses before entrusting them with their data, ideally, manufacturers should provide information regarding the functionality and limits of their products. Mandatory information should cover data management, data protection and privacy issues. To increase transparency, a standardized reporting tool in the form of an app synopsis could be helpful for providing the necessary information.
Subject(s)
Computer Security/standards , Confidentiality/standards , Electronic Health Records/standards , Guidelines as Topic , Mobile Applications/standards , Software Validation , Telecommunications/standards , GermanyABSTRACT
Apps running on mobile devices are continually gaining importance, for medical professionals as well as for patients. When used appropriately, they can support their users, have the potential to increase efficiency and to lower costs. However, the information available for "medical apps" that are currently being distributed in the official mobile app stores of different mobile platforms often rather raises than answers questions regarding important aspects such as functionality, limits, data integrity, security and privacy. In this paper, we analyze the current situation, including a basic overview over current reporting and regulatory mechanisms and propose the use of an app-synopsis as step in direction of transparency.
