Systematic Search and Evaluation of mobile Apps for Wound Care Available in French-Language in Canada

Abstract

BackgroundWounds are a significant national health concern, impacting individuals, healthcare systems, and the environment. Despite efforts by organizations to promote evidence-based practices, gaps persist between theory and nurse practice in wound care. Mobile apps show promises in enhancing wound care delivery, but their rapid evolution, including adaptations into different languages such as French, raises concerns about reliability and regulation. Evaluating these apps is crucial for ensuring patient safety and effective wound management.PurposeTo review and assess mobile wound care apps available in French for healthcare providers in Canada.MethodsA systematic search was conducted across the literature and the two main Canadian online app stores (App Store and Google Play). The included mobile apps underwent quality evaluation using the user version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS).ResultsThe initial search retrieved 1,550 apps, of which 260 were screened and 5 included. Included apps were from France and were available on both stores. These apps varied in features, including wound dressing directory (n = 3), best practices reminders (n = 2), photography management and digital wound tracking (n = 1), and total body surface area calculator (n = 1). Evaluation using uMARS indicated total averages range from 3.52/5 to 4.10/5. The results offer scant insight into the design and evaluation of the apps included.ConclusionsThe study highlights the need for development and validation of a French wound care app tailored to Canadian healthcare contexts and best practice recommendations, emphasizing collaboration among nurses and stakeholders in technology enhancement for the benefit of Canadians' health.

Keywords: Canada; Mobile applications; mobile health (mHealth); review; user mobile app rating scale; wound care.

Figure 1.

Devices used to evaluate the apps.

Figure 2.

Study flowchart.

Figure 3.

Graphical representation depicting the overall rating distribution of uMARS scores, showcasing means, medians, interquartile ranges, and ranges across five mobile apps (n = 5).