Abstract
The implementation of mobile information and communication technology in the field
of health services, e. g. in the form of apps, is becoming increasingly important.
Unfortunately, the necessary quality criteria are often mising. Thus, it seems important,
that in addition to an app controlling authority highly qualified health care professionals
participate in the development of these applications. For reasons of liability, however,
the physician must exercise great caution in the selection and recommendation of medical
apps, especially considering, that only a few apps are certified as medical devices.
There are a large number of medical apps on the market, with only a small proportion
being assigned to the field of otorhinolaryngology. The areas of audiology, sleep
medicine and allergology are most frequently represented. Althouhgh there is increasing
scientific work on this topic in the field of otorhinolaryngology, there is a lack
of scientific evidence of contents and results, as is generally the case of medical
apps. However, there are other possibilities for users to rate medical apps regarding
defined qualitiy criteria such as functionality, scientific integrity, but also data
privacy. None of the apps assessed by such a evaluation tool met all the required
quality criteria, but the applied instrument helped to better assess the application.
However, it was possible to consider the quality criteria in the developmental process
of an medical app for the field of otorhinolaryngoglogy. In summary, the present work
provide a comprehensive insight into the topic “Apps in Otorhinolaryngology” with
the aim to use these modern aids in a beneficial way.
Key words
apps - chances - risks - literature research - survey - app development
