The Validity of Mobile Applications to Facilitate Patient Care Provided to Cancer Patients: Opportunities and Limitations.

BACKGROUND: The use of health-related applications (apps) on smartphones has become widespread. This is especially of value during the ongoing SAR-COV-2 pandemic, where accessibility to health care services has been greatly limited. Patients with free access to apps can obtain information to improve their understanding and management of health issues. Currently, there are cancer-related apps available on iPhones and androids. However, there are no guidelines to control these apps and ensure their quality. Furthermore, these apps may significantly modify the patients' perception and knowledge about drug-related health services. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the convenience, quality, safety and efficacy of apps for cancer patient care. METHODS: The study was conducted by searching all apps related to cancer care on both Google Play Store and Apple iTunes Store. A detailed assessment was then performed using the mobile application rating scale (MARS) and risk assessment tools. RESULTS: The results indicated that on a scale from 1-5, 47% of the apps were rated ≥ 4. The MARS assessment of the apps yielded an overall quality rating of 3.38 ± 0.9 (mean ± SD). The visual appeal of the app was found to have a significant effect on app functionality and user engagement. The potential benefits of these apps come with challenges and limitations. Patents related to smartphone applications targeting patients were also discussed. CONCLUSION: We recommend a greater emphasis toward producing evidence-based apps. These apps should be rigorously tested, evaluated and updated by experts, particularly clinical pharmacists. Also, these apps may alter patient attitudes toward services provided by physicians and pharmacists. Finally, these apps should not replace in-person interactive health services.

Sternalis muscle in jordanian population: a prevalence study and level of physicians' awareness.

Sternalis muscle (SM) is an anatomical variant that lies parallel to the sternum. It is present in (8%) of human population. Awareness about its presence during thoracic imaging is important, since it might be misdiagnosed as a tumor. This study is the first that discusses the prevalence of SM in the Jordanian population and document the level of awareness about SM among intern doctors and surgery and radiology residents. Our aims are to know the prevalence of SM in the Jordanian population, using thoracic multi-detector computerized tomography (CT) images, and to assess the awareness about SM among a sample of intern and resident Jordanian physicians. Random anonymous axial thoracic multi-detector CT images of 1,709 (801 females and 908 males) Jordanian patients, were examined for the presence or absence of unilateral and/or bilateral SM. A questionnaire aiming to identify SM was distributed among 175 intern doctors, 26 surgery resident and 28 radiology resident doctors, their answers were summarized. The prevalence of SM among Jordanians is 5.9%. The prevalence of unilateral SM is 2.1% on the right side of the thorax and 1.9% on the left side, bilateral prevalence was 1.8%. While 35.7% of the radiology residents could identify SM using CT and/or anatomy images, only 3.9% of surgery residents and none of the intern doctors could. We concluded that SM is present in the Jordanian population, with a prevalence of 5.9% which falls within the global average. Intern doctors and surgery and radiology residents are almost unaware and unfamiliar about SM.

Azygos Lobe: Prevalence of an Anatomical Variant and Its Recognition among Postgraduate Physicians.

The right azygos lobe is a rare anatomical variant of the upper lung lobe that can be misdiagnosed as a neoplasm, a lung abscess, or a bulla. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of right azygos lobe and to evaluate the ability of postgraduate doctors to correctly identify right azygos lobe. We analyzed a total of 1709 axial thoracic multi-detector computed tomography (CT) images for the presence of an azygos lobe. Additionally, a paper-based survey was distributed among a sample of intern doctors and radiology and surgery residents, asking them to identify the right azygos lobe in a CT image and in an anatomy figure. Results showed that the prevalence of the right azygos lobe in the study sample was 0.88%. Men have more right azygos lobes than women. None of the intern doctors or surgery residents identified the right azygos lobe correctly, whereas more than half (57.1%) of the radiology residents did. Most of the incorrect answers about the CT scan were related to the bronchi (25.0%). The apex of the lung (17.7%) and the superior vena cava (17.7%) were the most common incorrect answers about the anatomy figure. In conclusion, the prevalence of the right azygos lobe in the current study is within the range of previously published literature. More education should be given for the identification of the right azygos lobe during anatomy and clinical teaching.