The Journal of mHealth Vol 1 Issue 2 (Apr 2014) | Page 17

Industry News

New Smartphone App Can
Help Study X-Rays
Doctors in Northern Ireland have developed a new smartphone application that can help in the study of x-rays. The
app, which is still in testing, can specifically identify where
a doctor is going wrong when interpreting an X-ray, and is
designed to helps medics develop their skills.
According to the team behind the training tool it is the first of
its kind in the world. Dr Tom Lynch, one of the app’s creators
and head of nuclear medicine at the Northern Ireland Cancer
Centre, in an interview with the UK’s BBC, states, “This is the
medical and IT worlds coming together in Northern Ireland
and producing something which is really unique.”
The app provides quick feedback and the more it is used by
a doctor, the “...more targeted and personalised the feedback
becomes”, according to Lynch.
The app, which is being called ‘Experior’, will mainly be used
in accident and emergency and cancer departments. However,
there are plans to see it rolled out across all health specialities
and even into education, industry and financial services.
On the app’s screen there are 30 different X-ray images each
displaying a particular condition - the doctor’s task is to identify the diagnosis, submit their answer and have it marked.
Lynch says: “Some [X-rays] are obvious some aren’t. But
[most] are typical X-rays that a junior doctor - and one who’s
been qualified a long time - would see in an emergency department.”
In an interview Kevin Donaghy, who provides the IT expertise for the app, said, “When Tom first approached me with
the idea of improving the skills of doctors with X-rays, I

thought ‘How do we build a solution that can be utilised by
doctors and training organisations around the globe? How
can we harness the best medical brains in the world to the
benefit of all doctors and ultimately, all of their patients?’”
“That’s the bottom line - we wanted to develop a device that
improves diagnosis and health care for everyone. With that in
mind we used the ‘lean start-up model’ to prove that we can
do this, and lead the way with the best medical and IT expertise in Northern Ireland to deliver a world-class solution. We
really believe that Northern Ireland can lead the way in the
development of innovative health solutions.”
It is understood that the Northern Ireland Health Board may
be interested in testing the app for a year before making a
longer-term decision on its broader use across health trusts.
For more information visit www.experiormedical.com
Original article published by BBC News 10th February 2014 

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The Journal of mHealth