MyDermPath+, an app from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) for Android and iOS devices, is a comprehensive dermatopathology resource. The app was funded by the AAD’s Sulzberger Institute Grant and developed by Rajendra Singh, MD, Tammie Ferringer, MD, Dirk Elston, MD, Eun Ji Kwon, MD, and and Chen “Mary” Chen, MD. It features interactive algorithms for generating differential diagnoses using a clinicopathologic approach. Algorithms are available to assist with histological diagnosis, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Additional features provide education on dermatopathology terms, normal skin histology, and test knowledge with multiple-choice quizzes.
When launching the app for the first time, I was presented with a splash screen with the AAD logo which lasted for roughly 10 seconds on both Android and iOS devices. Several old reviews on the app store were concerned about the delay and left negative reviews, however, these concerns have been addressed in the current version by faster loading times and an indicator bar for initial downloading. The app is professionally designed with a crisp blue color scheme consistent with the AAD website and the AAD’s other apps. When opening the app, the user is taken to a main menu with options to start the standard histology algorithm, search for a specific diagnosis, start the algorithm for special studies, view a glossary of terms, view normal skin histology, or take a quiz (Figure 1).
The most impressive feature of this app is its comprehensiveness. The core function is the ability to identify specific dermatopathology conditions by selecting various histologic characteristics. The first question of the algorithm is “What are the major changes in the biopsy?” The user then can indicate more specific histologic characteristics through a series of algorithmic questions to narrow the diagnosis (Figure 2).
After completing the algorithm, the user is presented with a page for a specific condition. This includes a text-based description of the histology as well as a photo. The photo can be enlarged by tapping, and pinch to zoom is available; however, the image did not sharpen at high magnification. While it would be ideal to see finer detail in future versions, this is acceptable given the otherwise comprehensive nature of the app. Also, since the initial launch, integration with pathpresenter has been added to allow for high quality images to be accessed on-line. The individual condition page also features tabs for clinical information including a text-based description and a photo (Figure 3), as well as tabs for differential diagnosis, managment tips, and occasionally trivia facts.
A separate algorithm is available for special studies including special stains, immunofluoresence, and immunohistochemistry. There are histological images for more than 20 different special stains ranging from amyloid, to connective tissue, to melanin. Occasionally, the app would force close on my Android device when selecting a specific stain or an image would not be available. Immunofluoresence information is presented individually or through an algorithm for nearly 20 conditions such as dermatitis herpetiformis, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The immunohistochemistry section provides histological images of markers for melanocytic, epithelial, and lymphoid lesions among many others.
Educational information is also available. In the glossary of terms section, selecting a term will provide a text-based definition as well as a corresponding histological photo. A video is available to present normal skin histology. This video played appropriately on iOS devices, however, on my Android device, the video section caused the app to force close. A multiple-choice quiz is also available. Questions are pulled from a 2000-question database and include a histology image and 4 answers choices. Users are informed if answer is correct or incorrect, but no additional explanation is provided.
Overall, this app is a well designed and an impressively comprehensive resource for dermatopathology (Table). Dermatology and pathology residents/fellows would benefit tremendously from this app. Attendings looking for a mobile reference and medical student interested in learning about dermatopathology would also find this app useful. It is worth noting that while this app utilizes a large number of images, they are not stored locally on the device saving storage space. While the app still has several bugs, it is quite functional. With a few minor fixes, MyDermPath+ would likely have better ratings on the app store, more exposure, and become an essential app for dermatologists and dermatopathologists.
Mr Hawkins is a fourth-year medical student at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC, and the developer of numerous web and mobile health care applications at Wake Forest School of Medicine, including DermPatientEd.com.
Disclosure: The authors report no relevant financial relationships.
MyDermPath+, an app from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) for Android and iOS devices, is a comprehensive dermatopathology resource. The app was funded by the AAD’s Sulzberger Institute Grant and developed by Rajendra Singh, MD, Tammie Ferringer, MD, Dirk Elston, MD, Eun Ji Kwon, MD, and and Chen “Mary” Chen, MD. It features interactive algorithms for generating differential diagnoses using a clinicopathologic approach. Algorithms are available to assist with histological diagnosis, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Additional features provide education on dermatopathology terms, normal skin histology, and test knowledge with multiple-choice quizzes.
When launching the app for the first time, I was presented with a splash screen with the AAD logo which lasted for roughly 10 seconds on both Android and iOS devices. Several old reviews on the app store were concerned about the delay and left negative reviews, however, these concerns have been addressed in the current version by faster loading times and an indicator bar for initial downloading. The app is professionally designed with a crisp blue color scheme consistent with the AAD website and the AAD’s other apps. When opening the app, the user is taken to a main menu with options to start the standard histology algorithm, search for a specific diagnosis, start the algorithm for special studies, view a glossary of terms, view normal skin histology, or take a quiz (Figure 1).
The most impressive feature of this app is its comprehensiveness. The core function is the ability to identify specific dermatopathology conditions by selecting various histologic characteristics. The first question of the algorithm is “What are the major changes in the biopsy?” The user then can indicate more specific histologic characteristics through a series of algorithmic questions to narrow the diagnosis (Figure 2).
After completing the algorithm, the user is presented with a page for a specific condition. This includes a text-based description of the histology as well as a photo. The photo can be enlarged by tapping, and pinch to zoom is available; however, the image did not sharpen at high magnification. While it would be ideal to see finer detail in future versions, this is acceptable given the otherwise comprehensive nature of the app. Also, since the initial launch, integration with pathpresenter has been added to allow for high quality images to be accessed on-line. The individual condition page also features tabs for clinical information including a text-based description and a photo (Figure 3), as well as tabs for differential diagnosis, managment tips, and occasionally trivia facts.
A separate algorithm is available for special studies including special stains, immunofluoresence, and immunohistochemistry. There are histological images for more than 20 different special stains ranging from amyloid, to connective tissue, to melanin. Occasionally, the app would force close on my Android device when selecting a specific stain or an image would not be available. Immunofluoresence information is presented individually or through an algorithm for nearly 20 conditions such as dermatitis herpetiformis, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The immunohistochemistry section provides histological images of markers for melanocytic, epithelial, and lymphoid lesions among many others.
Educational information is also available. In the glossary of terms section, selecting a term will provide a text-based definition as well as a corresponding histological photo. A video is available to present normal skin histology. This video played appropriately on iOS devices, however, on my Android device, the video section caused the app to force close. A multiple-choice quiz is also available. Questions are pulled from a 2000-question database and include a histology image and 4 answers choices. Users are informed if answer is correct or incorrect, but no additional explanation is provided.
Overall, this app is a well designed and an impressively comprehensive resource for dermatopathology (Table). Dermatology and pathology residents/fellows would benefit tremendously from this app. Attendings looking for a mobile reference and medical student interested in learning about dermatopathology would also find this app useful. It is worth noting that while this app utilizes a large number of images, they are not stored locally on the device saving storage space. While the app still has several bugs, it is quite functional. With a few minor fixes, MyDermPath+ would likely have better ratings on the app store, more exposure, and become an essential app for dermatologists and dermatopathologists.
Mr Hawkins is a fourth-year medical student at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC, and the developer of numerous web and mobile health care applications at Wake Forest School of Medicine, including DermPatientEd.com.
Disclosure: The authors report no relevant financial relationships.
MyDermPath+, an app from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) for Android and iOS devices, is a comprehensive dermatopathology resource. The app was funded by the AAD’s Sulzberger Institute Grant and developed by Rajendra Singh, MD, Tammie Ferringer, MD, Dirk Elston, MD, Eun Ji Kwon, MD, and and Chen “Mary” Chen, MD. It features interactive algorithms for generating differential diagnoses using a clinicopathologic approach. Algorithms are available to assist with histological diagnosis, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Additional features provide education on dermatopathology terms, normal skin histology, and test knowledge with multiple-choice quizzes.
When launching the app for the first time, I was presented with a splash screen with the AAD logo which lasted for roughly 10 seconds on both Android and iOS devices. Several old reviews on the app store were concerned about the delay and left negative reviews, however, these concerns have been addressed in the current version by faster loading times and an indicator bar for initial downloading. The app is professionally designed with a crisp blue color scheme consistent with the AAD website and the AAD’s other apps. When opening the app, the user is taken to a main menu with options to start the standard histology algorithm, search for a specific diagnosis, start the algorithm for special studies, view a glossary of terms, view normal skin histology, or take a quiz (Figure 1).
The most impressive feature of this app is its comprehensiveness. The core function is the ability to identify specific dermatopathology conditions by selecting various histologic characteristics. The first question of the algorithm is “What are the major changes in the biopsy?” The user then can indicate more specific histologic characteristics through a series of algorithmic questions to narrow the diagnosis (Figure 2).
After completing the algorithm, the user is presented with a page for a specific condition. This includes a text-based description of the histology as well as a photo. The photo can be enlarged by tapping, and pinch to zoom is available; however, the image did not sharpen at high magnification. While it would be ideal to see finer detail in future versions, this is acceptable given the otherwise comprehensive nature of the app. Also, since the initial launch, integration with pathpresenter has been added to allow for high quality images to be accessed on-line. The individual condition page also features tabs for clinical information including a text-based description and a photo (Figure 3), as well as tabs for differential diagnosis, managment tips, and occasionally trivia facts.
A separate algorithm is available for special studies including special stains, immunofluoresence, and immunohistochemistry. There are histological images for more than 20 different special stains ranging from amyloid, to connective tissue, to melanin. Occasionally, the app would force close on my Android device when selecting a specific stain or an image would not be available. Immunofluoresence information is presented individually or through an algorithm for nearly 20 conditions such as dermatitis herpetiformis, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The immunohistochemistry section provides histological images of markers for melanocytic, epithelial, and lymphoid lesions among many others.
Educational information is also available. In the glossary of terms section, selecting a term will provide a text-based definition as well as a corresponding histological photo. A video is available to present normal skin histology. This video played appropriately on iOS devices, however, on my Android device, the video section caused the app to force close. A multiple-choice quiz is also available. Questions are pulled from a 2000-question database and include a histology image and 4 answers choices. Users are informed if answer is correct or incorrect, but no additional explanation is provided.
Overall, this app is a well designed and an impressively comprehensive resource for dermatopathology (Table). Dermatology and pathology residents/fellows would benefit tremendously from this app. Attendings looking for a mobile reference and medical student interested in learning about dermatopathology would also find this app useful. It is worth noting that while this app utilizes a large number of images, they are not stored locally on the device saving storage space. While the app still has several bugs, it is quite functional. With a few minor fixes, MyDermPath+ would likely have better ratings on the app store, more exposure, and become an essential app for dermatologists and dermatopathologists.
Mr Hawkins is a fourth-year medical student at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC, and the developer of numerous web and mobile health care applications at Wake Forest School of Medicine, including DermPatientEd.com.
Disclosure: The authors report no relevant financial relationships.
