Validate an App: How to Design Your Study and Get Published

Dr Orrin Franko MD^2
1Lead App Editor, Journal of Mobile Technology in Medicine, ²Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, USA.
Corresponding Author: ofranko@ucsd.edu
Journal MTM 1:2:1-4, 2012
doi:10.7309/jmtm.9

The last two years have demonstrated an exponential growth in the use of smartphones and tablets by medical professionals, a trend that has led to medical apps developed specifically for patients and physicians.<sup>1-71. Azark R. Smartphone apps for your practice. CDS Rev 2011;104:12-13.
2. Bhansali R, Armstrong J. Smartphone applications for pediatric anesthesia. Paediatr Anaesth 2012;22:400-404.
3. Franko OI. Smartphone apps for orthopaedic surgeons. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2011;469:2042-2048.
4. Franko OI, Bhola S. iPad apps for orthopedic surgeons. Orthopedics 2011;34:978-981.
5. Oehler RL, Smith K, Toney JF. Infectious diseases resources for the iPhone. Clin Infect Dis 2010;50:1268-1274.
6. Rosser BA, Eccleston C. Smartphone applications for pain management. J Telemed Telecare 2011;17:308-312.
7. Franko OI, Tirrell TF. Smartphone App Use Among Medical Providers in ACGME Training Programs. J Med Syst 2011.</sup> Not surprisingly, because most app developers are unverified sources of medical information, recent publications have emphasized the importance of peer-review validation.<sup>7-107. Franko OI, Tirrell TF. Smartphone App Use Among Medical Providers in ACGME Training Programs. J Med Syst 2011.
8. Boulos MN, Wheeler S, Tavares C, Jones R. How smartphones are changing the face of mobile and participatory healthcare: an overview, with example from eCAALYX. Biomed Eng Online 2011;10:24.
9. Hamilton AD, Brady RR. Medical Professional Involvement in Smartphone Apps in Dermatology. Br J Dermatol 2012.
10. Kabachinski J. Mobile medical apps changing healthcare technology. Biomed Instrum Technol 2011;45:482-486.</sup>  In addition to safety concerns, the validation of mobile apps in the health care setting provides an opportunity for younger physicians, often medical students and residents, to contribute to the medical community by demonstrating the efficacy and validity of these new technologies.  However, many trainees and practicing physicians are unfamiliar with scientific validation methodology.  This editorial outlines a structure that can be used to assist with the design, execution, and publication of a validation study for mobile technology.

Validation refers to proving a tool’s ability to report the absolute “truth” as much as it can be measured.  Various forms of validity exist that, when combined, allow a tool to be considered “valid” by the medical community.  To clarify various forms of validation, I will share examples from the current literature, which can serve as guides for providers interested in designing a study of their own.

Principles of Security for the use of Mobile Technology in Medicine

Dr Chandrashan Perera MBBS^1,2
1Editor-In-Chief, Journal of Mobile Technology in Medicine, ²Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
Corresponding Author: editor@journalmtm.com
Journal MTM 1:2:5-7, 2012
doi:10.7309/jmtm.10

The rapid uptake of mobile technologies has allowed a number of innovations in the medical field^{1Luanrattana R, Win KT, Fulcher J, Iverson D. Mobile technology use in medical education. J Med Syst. 2012 Feb.;36(1):113–22.,2Zurovac D, Talisuna AO, Snow RW. Mobile phone text messaging: tool for malaria control in Africa. PLoS Med. 2012 Feb.;9(2):e1001176.} .  However, as with any new technology, there are a number of security concerns that need to be acknowledged and addressed in order for these technologies to be implemented safely^{3Fernando JIE. Clinical software on personal mobile devices needs regulation. Med J Aust. 2012 Apr. 17;196(7):437.} .  This is of particular significance in the medical realm where confidentiality of patient data needs to be preserved.  Whilst data security is considered a more sensitive topic with evolving technologies, it is important to also consider the security benefits provided by mobile technologies.