01895nas a2200241 4500000000100000008004100001653001600042653001200058653001200070653002900082653003900111653001800150100001300168700001200181700001100193700001200204700001100216245015600227856004200383300000800425490000600433520121400439 2018 d10aDermatology10aleprosy10aMhealth10aMobile phone application10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aSkin Diseases1 aMieras L1 aTaal AT1 aPost E1 aNdeve A1 aHees C00aThe development of a mobile application to support peripheral health workers to diagnose and treat people with skin diseases in resource-poor settings. uhttp://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/3/3/102 a1020 v33 a

The high prevalence of skin diseases in resource-poor settings, where health workers with sufficient knowledge of skin diseases are scarce, calls for innovative measures. Timely diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases, especially neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that manifest with skin lesions, such as leprosy, is crucial to prevent disabilities as well as psychological and socioeconomic problems. Innovative technological methods like telemedicine and mobile health (mHealth) can help to bridge the gap between the burden of skin diseases and the lack of capable staff in resource-poor settingsbybringingessentialhealthservicesfromcentrallevelclosertoperipherallevels. Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR) has developed a mobile phone application called the ‘SkinApp’, which aims to support peripheral health workers to recognize the early signs and symptoms of skin diseases, including skin NTDs, and to start treatment promptly or refer for more advanced diagnostic testing or disease management when needed. Further research is needed to determine how greatly mHealth in general and the SkinApp in particular can contribute to improved health outcomes, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.