Introduction: The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed inherent weaknesses in global healthcare systems. Conversely, it has encouraged innovation, research and collaboration. Digital technology has the ability to tackle these difficulties via the use of applications. However, the reliability and validity of unregulated medical applications must be questioned. The aim of this study was to review surgical foot and ankle themed applications and specifically assess the level of involvement from medical professionals in the design and content. Methods: The App Store (iOS), Google Play (Android) and the BlackBerry App World (Blackberry) were searched for foot and ankle themed applications. The following search terms were used: bunions, ankle sprains, diabetic foot, foot and ankle deformities, pre-op templating, Patho-anatomy, post-operative rehab, gait, measurement of clinical angles of foot and ankle. Data were collected on target audience, patients, healthcare workers, number of applications, applications with customer satisfaction reviews, applications with medical professional involvement and applications available within the UK application stores. Results: 35 individual foot and ankle themed applications were identified. 30 applications had customer satisfaction ratings, 11 applications were predominantly health-worker centric and 3 were patient centered. 23 applications had medical professional involvement in their development or content. Conclusion: The benefits of applications are offset by the lack of Foot and ankle specification. There is relatively little medical professional involvement in their design. Increased regulation is required to improve accountability of application content.
Foot and ankle, Smartphone applications, The Apps store, Google play, BlackBerry
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development - IJTSRD having
online ISSN 2456-6470. IJTSRD is a leading Open Access, Peer-Reviewed International
Journal which provides rapid publication of your research articles and aims to promote
the theory and practice along with knowledge sharing between researchers, developers,
engineers, students, and practitioners working in and around the world in many areas
like Sciences, Technology, Innovation, Engineering, Agriculture, Management and
many more and it is recommended by all Universities, review articles and short communications
in all subjects. IJTSRD running an International Journal who are proving quality
publication of peer reviewed and refereed international journals from diverse fields
that emphasizes new research, development and their applications. IJTSRD provides
an online access to exchange your research work, technical notes & surveying results
among professionals throughout the world in e-journals. IJTSRD is a fastest growing
and dynamic professional organization. The aim of this organization is to provide
access not only to world class research resources, but through its professionals
aim to bring in a significant transformation in the real of open access journals
and online publishing.