Table 1.
Descriptive statistics of the main characteristics of the genetics/genomics apps
Characteristic | Category | n/Mean (SD) | %/Range |
---|---|---|---|
Type of developer | App created by commercial/private companies or individuals | 49 | 55.7% |
App created by universities or hospitals | 12 | 13.6% | |
App created by non-governmental organizations | 3 | 3.4% | |
App created by government | 2 | 2.3% | |
App created by professional organizations | 2 | 2.3% | |
Insufficient information/not mentioned presented in the app content/unknown | 20 | 22.7% | |
Operating system | iPad | 57 | 64.8% |
iPhone | 52 | 59.1% | |
Android | 47 | 53.4% | |
App feature(s) | Reference/resource | 84 | 95.5% |
Clinical tool | 16 | 18.2% | |
Gaming | 11 | 12.5% | |
Lifestyle change recommendations | 8 | 9.1% | |
Provision of genetic test results | 6 | 6.8% | |
Quizzing | 6 | 6.8% | |
Technical aspects of app | Needing web access to function | 85 | 96.6% |
Permitting password protection | 22 | 25.0% | |
Allowing sharing on Facebook/Twitter/having an app community | 16 | 18.2% | |
Focus on specific disease | Yes | 20 | 22.7% |
No | 68 | 78.5% | |
Target audience(s) | Health professional students | 76 | 86.4% |
Health professionals/researchers/medical professionals | 49 | 55.7% | |
General population | 31 | 35.2% | |
Patients | 9 | 10.2% | |
Parents | 2 | 2.3% | |
Customer ratinga | 4.0 (0.5) | 3.0–5.0 | |
Cost | $2.18 (7.85) | $0–$49.99 |
aOnly 54 apps (61.4%) had customer ratings