Current status of apps in smartphone of obstetrics & gynecology, an observational study

doi:10.15406/ogij.2017.07.00261

eISSN: 2377-4304

Obstetrics & Gynecology International Journal

Research Article Volume 7 Issue 5

Current status of apps in smartphone of obstetrics & gynecology, an observational study

Girish Gupta,

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Abhinav Tomar, Kanchan Thakur

Department of Pediatrics, SGRRIMHS, Dehradun, India

Correspondence: Girish Gupta, Department of Pediatrics, SGRRIMHS, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India, Tel 918547876023

Received: October 29, 2016 | Published: August 10, 2017

Citation: Gupta G, Tomar T, Thakur K. Current status of apps in smartphone of obstetrics & gynecology, an observational study. Obstet Gynecol Int J. 2017;7(5):11-12. DOI: 10.15406/ogij.2017.07.00261

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Abstract

This observational study analyzes presently available apps in Smartphones in the field of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Total of 137 apps were observed on IOS & Android app stores. Largest number of apps were on Books, Conferences, Journals, Calculators, Obstetric wheels. 86% apps were in English language. 75.91% apps were paid. RCOG guideline is one of the useful paid guideline app. The future beholds the development of ore locally relevant customized, cheap upto date apps.

Keywords: Apps, Smartphones, Android, iPhone, Gynecology, Obstetrics

Introduction

About a decade back nobody could anticipate the revolution of Medical Apps on Smartphones and its all-round impact.¹ Millions of apps have been developed, including large numbers in the field of medicine. However, one is not sure that how many apps are developed in the subject of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Therefore, this observational study was designed to answer this research question of finding out apps in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Materials and methods

Study design: Observational

Study population: IOS & Android Operating Systems App stores, Apple store & Google play respectively.

Study period: 30 days

Sample size: Determined by the number of apps available, All the apps retrieved with search words Obstetrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Ethical issues: None

Consent: Not required

A total of 137 apps were observed on the two apps stores & their details are shown in Tables 1-4 with respect to their domain, language, payment profile & guideline apps respectively. Most of the apps were common in Apple store & Google play, however, google play had lesser number of apps.

Domain of apps	Number of apps (%)
Books	23(16.78)
Journals	16(11.67)
Calculators	10(7.29)
Osce tool	1(0.72)
Guidelines	4(2.91)
Practices	8(5.83)
Obstetric wheels	9(6.56)
Notes	6(4.37)
Quiz	4(2.91)
Board examination	4(2.91)
Questions	6(4.37)
US app	1(0.72)
Flash cards	5(3.64)
Conferences	20(14.59)
Patient tracking	9(6.56)
Breast feeding	2(1.45)
Baby care	5(3.64)
Twins	2(1.45)
Hypertension in pregnancy	2(1.45)

Table 1 Apps Domain-wise distribution (Total Number of Apps: 137)

Language	Number of Apps (%)
English	119 (86.86)
Non-English	18(13.14)

Table 2 Apps Language-wise distribution

Payment	Number of Apps (%)
Paid Apps	104 (75.91)
Free Apps	33 (24.09)

Table 3 Apps payment-wise distribution

Name	Organization/ Developer	Paid/ Free
RCOG guidelines	Royal college of obstetricians & gynecologist	Paid
Irish obs & gynae guidelines	Michelle berkery	Free
RANZCOG guidance app	Royal australian & new zealand college of obstetrician & gynaecologist	Free
EFM guide	Joshua Steinberg	Free

Table 4 Guideline Apps

Results and Discussion

Total observed apps were analyzed. Maximum number of apps were developed for the books, Conferences, Journals, Calculators, Obstetric wheels & Patient tracking, while rest other domains were less represented. 86% apps were in English language. 75.91% apps were paid, one such highest costing app was Obstetrics: Normal & Problem Pregnancies by Usatine Media LLC coasted Indian Rs 11900/-. There were four apps on guidelines, the RCOG guideline app was paid while other three were free apps. In the past points have been made about contraception, use of social media & apps on Pregnancy,^2-5 but present study revealed much wider applications of the apps in the field of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Limitation of the study is the fact that it has not looked at all the operating system app stores & hence has info on the two most utilized app stores.

Conclusion

This study clearly reflects present status of widespread utilization of apps in smartphones in the field of Obstetrics & Gynecology and it is in consonance with contemporary medical science. It also makes one think that almost all areas of the specialty may be addressed by apps in more beneficiary centered manner, by making apps in local languages, at a cheaper price while getting more customized & relevant.