Table 1.
Comparison Between Apps and “In-Patient” Examination
| APP A (MOST POPULAR) | APP B (MOST POPULAR) | APP C | APP D | APP E | IN-PERSON | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interface user friendliness | ||||||
| CC/Triage method | Free text | Pick list | Free Text | Free Text | Free Text | |
| No. of disease categories | All | All | All | All | All | |
| No. of HPI questions | 1 | 21 | 8 | 7 | 1 | |
| No. of of PMHx questions | No | 14 | 13 | 2 | 1 | |
| Chronic illness | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | |
| PSHx | No | No | Yes | No | No | |
| Hx of immunosuppression | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | |
| Psych Hx | No | No | No | No | No | |
| Hx of blistering sunburns | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Medications (Rx, OTC, Vit., Herbal) | No | Yes (all) | Yes, No (vit./herbal) | No | No | |
| Allergy | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | |
| Social Hx | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Fam Hx | No | No | No | No | No | |
| No. of ROS system question asked | No | 1 | No | No | No | |
| Ability to free text | Yes, only | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| No. of photos to be submitted | 2 | Unlimited | 2–9 | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
| Image guidance or quality control | No | No | No | No | No | |
| Diagnostic accuracy | ||||||
| Diagnosis | Enlarged and/or infected sebaceous cyst or gland | Folliculitis | Folliculitis | Folliculitis | No response | Folliculitis |
| In-person agreement | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | |
| Treatment and recommendations | See in person dermatologist for antibiotic Rx | Rx: Clindamycin topical 1% gel, OTC: Benzoyl peroxide 10% | Rx: Doxycycline PO, Clindamycin topical 1%, OTC: Benzoyl peroxide 10% | Rx: Cleocin T gel, Triamcinolone 0.1% lotion | No response | OTC: Benzoyl peroxide 10% |
| In-person agreement | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | |
| Service | ||||||
| Geographic availability | All states | 15 States | 27 States | 2 | 1 | |
| Price | $24.99 | $40 | $79, advertised as $59 | $65 | $ free | $35 copay |
| Response time | <48 hrs | <24 hrs | >48 hrs | <24 hrs | No response after 7 days | |
| Follow-up | No | Yes, 2 weeks | No | No | Unknown | Follow-up as needed |
| Note | • Only offers diagnosis and OTC trt. no eRx | • Patient could not triage himself into disease categories because of medical terminology • Offers Case manager |
• Allergies and medications could not be recorded accurately • Sent report to PMD |
• MD inquired about med and allergy after consult • After payment notified that app is not available in test state |
• App belongs to charity foundation | |
CC, chief complaint; eRx, electronic prescription; HPI, history of present illness; Hx, history; OTC, over the counter; PMD, primary medical doctor; PMHx, past medical history; PO, by mouth; PSHx, past surgical history; ROS, review of the system; Rx, prescription; trt, treatment; Vit., vitamins.