Table 1 Some of the quality issues associated with health-related apps
Problem area | Examples |
|---|---|
Privacy issues | Lengthy privacy policies, harvesting of personal data with identifiers, transmission of sensitive data unencrypted [16] |
Poor quality content | Acne treatment apps using iPhone screen radiation [43] No evidence underlying apps for smoking cessation [13] |
Vague or misleading description of app purpose | Breath alcohol detection app for phone with no alcohol sensor [44] |
Poor app usability | “Usability problem ratings ranged from moderate to catastrophic” in apps for type 2 diabetes [17] |
Ranking and cost not correlated with content | Shown for smoking cessation apps [13] |
Variable accuracy | Melanoma apps [18] Opiate dose calculator [39] Cardiovascular risk calculator accuracy [45] Heart rate apps [46] |