Smartphone applications: A contemporary resource for dermatopathology.
BACKGROUND
Smartphone applications in medicine are becoming increasingly prevalent. Given that most pathologists and pathology trainees today use smartphones, an obvious modality for pathology education is through smartphone applications. "MyDermPath" is a novel smartphone application that was developed as an interactive reference tool for dermatology and dermatopathology, available for iOS and Android.


METHODS
"MyDermPath" was developed using Apple Xcode and Google Android SDK. Dermatology images (static and virtual slides) were annotated and configured into an algorithmic format. Each image comprised educational data (diagnosis, clinical information, histopathology, special stains, differential diagnosis, clinical management, linked PubMed references). Added functionality included personal note taking, pop quiz, and image upload capabilities. A website was created (http://mydermpath.com) to mirror the app.


RESULTS
The application was released in August 2011 and updated in November 2013. More than 1,100 reference diagnoses, with over 2,000 images are available via the application and website. The application has been downloaded approximately 14,000 times. The application is available for use on iOS and Android platforms.


CONCLUSIONS
Smartphone applications have tremendous potential for advancing pathology education. "MyDermPath" represents an interactive reference tool for dermatology and dermatopathologists.
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Mount Sinai Hospital, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L Levy Pl Box 1194, New York, NY10029 212-241-6155, USA.
Matthew G
MG
Hanna
Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Division of Pathology Informatics, 5230 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA.
Anil V
AV
Parwani
Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Division of Pathology Informatics, 5230 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA.
Liron
L
Pantanowitz
Minding Your Enterprise, LLC.
Vinod
V
Punjabi
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Mount Sinai Hospital, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L Levy Pl Box 1194, New York, NY10029 212-241-6155, USA.
Rajendra
R
Singh
Application; cell phone; dermatology; dermatopathology; digital pathology; smartphone; whole slide imaging