Proposal of a New Rating Concept for Digital Health Applications in Orthopedics and Traumatology

Julian Scherer, Yasmin Youssef, Florian Dittrich, Urs-Vito Albrecht, Serafeim Tsitsilonis, Jochen Jung, Dominik Pförringer, Stefan Landgraeber, Sascha Beck and David A. Back ()
Additional contact information
Julian Scherer: Department of Traumatology, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistr. 100, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
Yasmin Youssef: Department of Orthopedic, Trauma and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Florian Dittrich: Joint Centre Bergisch Land, Department for Orthopaedics, Sana Fabricius Clinic Remscheid, Brüderstraße 65, 42853 Remscheid, Germany
Urs-Vito Albrecht: Medizinische Fakultät OWL, AG 4-Digitale Medizin, Universität Bielefeld, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany
Serafeim Tsitsilonis: Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Pl. 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Jochen Jung: ATOS Klinik Heidelberg, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bismarckstr. 9-15, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
Dominik Pförringer: Trauma Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Clinic and Policlinic for Trauma Surgery, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
Stefan Landgraeber: Department of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery, Universität des Saarlandes-Campus Homburg, Kirrberger Straße, 66421 Homburg, Germany
Sascha Beck: Clinic for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Sportsclinic Hellersen, Paulmannshöher Str. 17, 58515 Lüdenscheid, Germany
David A. Back: Bundeswehr Hospital Berlin, Department for Traumatology and Orthopedics, Scharnhorststr. 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-16

Abstract: Background: Health-related mobile applications (apps) are rapidly increasing in number. There is an urgent need for assessment tools and algorithms that allow the usability and content criteria of these applications to be objectively assessed. The aim of this work was to establish and validate a concept for orthopedic societies to rate health apps to set a quality standard for their safe use. Methods: An objective rating concept was created, consisting of nine quality criteria. A self-declaration sheet for app manufacturers was designed. Manufacturers completed the self-declaration, and the app was examined by independent internal reviewers. The pilot validation and analysis were performed on two independent health applications. An algorithm for orthopedic societies was created based on the experiences in this study flow. Results: “Sprunggelenks-App“ was approved by the reviewers with 45 (98%) fulfilled criteria and one (2%) unfulfilled criterion. “Therapie-App” was approved, with 28 (61%) met criteria, 6 (13%) unfulfilled criteria and 12 (26%) criteria that could not be assessed. The self-declaration completed by the app manufacturer is recommended, followed by a legal and technical rating performed by an external institution. When rated positive, the societies’ internal review using independent raters can be performed. In case of a positive rating, a visual certification can be granted to the manufacturer for a certain time frame. Conclusion: An objective rating algorithm is proposed for the assessment of digital health applications. This can help societies to improve the quality assessment, quality assurance and patient safety of those apps. The proposed concept must be further validated for inter-rater consistency and reliability.

Keywords: orthopedic society; health-related apps; mHealth; telemedicine; healthcare certification; quality standard; patient safety (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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