Position statement of the EADV Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) Task Force on AI ‐assisted smartphone apps and web‐based services for skin disease
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, vol. 38, pp. 22–30
Abstract
BACKGROUND: As the use of smartphones continues to surge globally, mobile applications (apps) have become a powerful tool for healthcare engagement. Prominent among these are dermatology apps powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), which provide immediate diagnostic guidance and educational resources for skin diseases, including skin cancer. OBJECTIVE: This article, authored by the EADV AI Task Force, seeks to offer insights and recommendations for the present and future deployment of AI-assisted smartphone applications (apps) and web-based services for skin diseases with emphasis on skin cancer detection. METHODS: An initial position statement was drafted on a comprehensive literature review, which was subsequently refined through two rounds of digital discussions and meticulous feedback by the EADV AI Task Force, ensuring its accuracy, clarity and relevance. RESULTS: Eight key considerations were identified, including risks associated with inaccuracy and improper user education, a decline in professional skills, the influence of non-medical commercial interests, data security, direct and indirect costs, regulatory approval and the necessity of multidisciplinary implementation. Following these considerations, three main recommendations were formulated: (1) to ensure user trust, app developers should prioritize transparency in data quality, accuracy, intended use, privacy and costs; (2) Apps and web-based services should ensure a uniform user experience for diverse groups of patients; (3) European authorities should adopt a rigorous and consistent regulatory framework for dermatology apps to ensure their safety and accuracy for users. CONCLUSIONS: The utilisation of AI-assisted smartphone apps and web-based services in diagnosing and treating skin diseases has the potential to greatly benefit patients in their dermatology journeys. By prioritising innovation, fostering collaboration and implementing effective regulations, we can ensure the successful integration of these apps into clinical practice.
Authors 20
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Tobias E. Sangers corresponding Aachen Department of Dermatology Leiden University Medical Center Leiden the Netherlands Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center
Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
Department of Dermatology Leiden University Medical Center Leiden The Netherlands
Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Dermatology Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Affiliation as printed
Public, Private and Teaching Practice of Dermatology Konstanz Konstanz Germany
Public, Private and Teaching Practice of Dermatology Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Dermatology University Hospital Zurich Zurich Switzerland
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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University of Lisbon · Instituto Superior Técnico · Laboratório de Robótica e Sistemas de Engenharia
Affiliation as printed
Institute for Systems and Robotics, LARSyS, Instituto Superior Técnico Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa Portugal
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Medical Biotechnologies University of Siena Siena Italy
Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Affiliation as printed
Kenko.ai Barcelona Spain
Kenko.ai, Barcelona, Spain
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Whittington Hospital · Whittington Health NHS Trust
Affiliation as printed
Department of Dermatology Whittington NHS Trust London UK
Department of Dermatology, Whittington NHS Trust, London, UK
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The University of Sydney · Royal Prince Alfred Hospital · Melanoma Institute Australia
Affiliation as printed
Faculty of Medicine and Health The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
Melanoma Institute Australia The University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
Sydney Melanoma Diagnostic Centre Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Camperdown New South Wales Australia
Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Sydney Melanoma Diagnostic Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
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Heidelberg University · University Hospital Heidelberg
Affiliation as printed
Department of Dermatology Heidelberg University Medical Center Heidelberg Germany
Department of Dermatology, Heidelberg University Medical Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Plastic Surgery Herlev Hospital Herlev Denmark
Department of Plastic Surgery, Herlev Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
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Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Affiliation as printed
First Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine Aristotle University Thessaloniki Greece
First Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Affiliation as printed
Melanoma and Skin Cancer Unit, Department of Dermatology, Escuela de Medicina Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile Santiago Chile
Melanoma and Skin Cancer Unit, Department of Dermatology, Escuela de Medicina, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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University of Basel · University Hospital of Basel
Affiliation as printed
Department of Dermatology and Department of Biomedical Engineering University Hospital of Basel Basel Switzerland
Department of Dermatology and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Hospital Clínic de Barcelona · Consorci Institut D'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer · Universitat de Barcelona
Affiliation as printed
Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clínic University of Barcelona Barcelona Spain
Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) Barcelona Spain
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Affiliation as printed
Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York New York USA
Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
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Affiliation as printed
Frazer Institute, Dermatology Research Centre The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
Frazer Institute, Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Affiliation as printed
Dermatology Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurosciences University of Siena Siena Italy
Dermatology Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Dermatology Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases · Hospital Clínic de Barcelona · Consorci Institut D'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi I Sunyer · Universitat de Barcelona
Affiliation as printed
Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) Barcelona Spain
Melanoma Unit, Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS Universitat de Barcelona Barcelona Spain
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