Get started
Work

743Development of a smartphone-based physician decision tool for common pediatric infectious conditions

Year: 2014
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Background. Smartphones have emerged as important consumer and business devices for physicians. However, little empiric evidence exists regarding physicians' use of smartphone apps for clinical purposes. We sought to determine the feasibility of developing and implementing a smartphone-based app for managing febrile infants <60 days old and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and to evaluate trends in utilization of this app after release. Methods. We identified select pediatric conditions among existing guidelines at our hospital for inclusion in the app. An initial search for private software developers was conducted. After discussing the project with these potential partners, formal bids were submitted to us. Based on cost, design values, project vision, and availability, we selected an appropriate developer. Wireframes (visually simplified schematics) were created and submitted to the developer to guide app creation. We selected a cohort of beta testers from volunteers at our hospital. Betas (or "draft" versions) were distributed to our testers via TestFlight. Based on testers' feedback, the app was revised. The app was released worldwide in Apple's iTunes App Store in June 2013; available as a free download. We collected download data from Apple's developer portal and usage data using embedded analytics code from Apsalar. Results. Since release, the app has been downloaded 744 times and used 2,137 times (Figure 1). The app was most downloaded in its first month, representing 22% of total downloads. The app was most popular in the US (47% of total downloads) followed by Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia (Figure 2). Users average 2 sessions per month; the average session length is 33.6 seconds. Users most frequently accessed information for CAP, specifically antibiotic choices for inpatient treatment of complicated pneumonia (194 uses) and guidance for diagnostic radiology (124 uses) and laboratory (121 uses) choices. A checklist for assessing HSV risk was the most commonly accessed (94 uses) component of the febrile infant guideline. Conclusion. Smartphone apps represent a mechanism for worldwide dissemination of evidence-based recommendations. Disclosures. J. G. Newland, Pfizer: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient
DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofu052.451
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,053
OpenAlex ID: W2309964463
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: 10