App-Referral
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study investigating the usability of a mobile phone app to optimise the management of acne in primary care
IRAS ID
238481
Contact name
Philip Hampton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle Joint Research Office
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN19434288
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
R&D ref , 8638
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study will explore whether or not the use of a mobile phone app is a useful and acceptable way for patients to receive advice about their acne treatment. This study will also allow us to investigate current management of acne in primary care and whether remote acne assessment via smart phone app can improve acne treatment in the community and the quality of referrals to secondary care. In doing so, this system could reduce workload for both GPs and dermatology services.
Patients will be invited to join the study which will involve completing online questionnaires and taking selfie images of their acne using a secure smartphone app called 'MySkinSelfie' which has already been developed by Newcastle University. The use of teledermatology systems bring both advantages with respect to referral times but also potential disadvantages due to less contact with specialists and the potential for details to be lost from the consultation. Teledermatology will always need to balance these pros and cons. This pilot study will help to determine whether mobile phone based acne advice is desired by patients and GP’s and start to explore whether it is effective.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0739
Date of REC Opinion
18 May 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion