App-synopsis - standard reporting for medical apps

Abstract

The market for medical apps is rapidly expanding - both for professional use as well as for patient centered apps. There are numerous medical apps, but relevant information about their limitations and dangers is rarely available. In an exemplary evaluation of n=8 medical apps, deficits regarding data integrity, one half had security and privacy issues. Since standard users usually have neither the equipment, know-how nor time for such analyses before entrusting them with their data, ideally, manufacturers should provide information regarding the functionality and limits of their products. Mandatory information should cover data management, data protection and privacy issues. To increase transparency, a standardized reporting tool in the form of an app synopsis could be helpful for providing the necessary information.