Digital skin imaging applications, part I: Assessment of image acquisition technique features Journal Article
| Authors: | Sun, M. D.; Kentley, J.; Wilson, B. W.; Soyer, H. P.; Curiel-Lewandrowski, C. N.; Rotemberg, V.; Halpern, A. C.; On behalf of the ISIC Technique Working Group |
| Article Title: | Digital skin imaging applications, part I: Assessment of image acquisition technique features |
| Abstract: | Background: The rapid adoption of digital skin imaging applications has increased the utilization of smartphone-acquired images in dermatology. While this has enormous potential for scaling the assessment of concerning skin lesions, the insufficient quality of many consumer/patient-taken images can undermine clinical accuracy and potentially harm patients due to lack of diagnostic interpretability. We aim to characterize the current state of digital skin imaging applications and comprehensively assess how image acquisition features address image quality. Materials and methods: Publicly discoverable mobile, web, and desktop-based skin imaging applications, identified through keyword searches in mobile app stores, Google Search queries, previous teledermatology studies, and expert recommendations were independently assessed by three reviewers. Applications were categorized by primary audience (consumer-facing, nonhospital-based practice, or enterprise/health system), function (education, store-and-forward teledermatology, live-interactive teledermatology, electronic medical record adjunct/clinical imaging storage, or clinical triage), in-app connection to a healthcare provider (yes or no), and user type (patient, provider, or both). Results: Just over half (57%) of 191 included skin imaging applications had at least one of 14 image acquisition technique features. Those that were consumer-facing, intended for educational use, and designed for both patient and physician users had significantly greater feature richness (p < 0.05). The most common feature was the inclusion of text-based imaging tips, followed by the requirement to submit multiple images and body area matching. Conclusion: Very few skin imaging applications included more than one image acquisition technique feature. Feature richness varied significantly by audience, function, and user categories. Users of digital dermatology tools should consider which applications have standardized features that improve image quality. © 2022 The Authors. Skin Research and Technology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. |
| Keywords: | adult; image acquisition; quality control; skin; electronic medical record; image enhancement; education; medical imaging; quality assurance; image quality; artificial intelligence; diagnosis; health care personnel; physician; consumer; clinical imaging; dermatology; search engine; diagnostic test accuracy study; skin lesion; interpretability; skin imaging; skin research; human; article; teledermatology; mhealth; mobile applications; mobile application; digital tools; digital devices; facings; imaging applications; scalings; smart phones; patient triage |
| Journal Title: | Skin Research and Technology |
| Volume: | 28 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| ISSN: | 0909-752X |
| Publisher: | Wiley Blackwell |
| Date Published: | 2022-07-01 |
| Start Page: | 623 |
| End Page: | 632 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1111/srt.13163 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PUBMED: | 35652379 |
| PMCID: | PMC9907654 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- MSK author Britney N. Wilson's name is incorrectly listed as "Brittney W. Wilson" -- Export Date: 1 August 2022 -- Source: Scopus |
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
Related MSK Work