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App of the Month

https://library.saskhealthauthority.ca/mobile/appofthemonth

To keep you updated on the go, we highlight a free medical app each month!

About App of the Month

Librarian reviewers from Saskatchewan Health Authority and Alberta Health Services consider the audience and purpose of the apps, as well as highlighting additional features:

  • In the ‘Evidence’ section, we assess how easily the user can identify the app’s currency and support from the evidence
  • In the ‘Usability’ section, we assess the organization of information and other usability factors that may contribute to user experience

Our complete grading criteria is embedded in the review.

Note: Reviewers are not healthcare professionals and don't appraise the quality of any recommendations within the app. Reviews are not meant as endorsements.

Touch Surgery: Surgical Videos

Touch Surgery: Surgical Videos
Version reviewed

Android 6.33.0 (CE); iOS version 6.53 (MV)
Device & OS used

Moto g(7) Plus (CE); iPad 15.1 (MV)
Date of review

December 9, 2021 (CE); December 6, 2021 (MV)
Reviewers

Courtney Ellsworth (CE) Marcus Vaska (MV)
Technician Support Scott Frick
Similar Library Apps AO Surgery Reference

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Source: Touch Surgery: Surgical Videos, Apple App Store. Retrieved on December 21, 2021 from: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/touch-surgery-surgical-videos/id509740792

Stated Purpose

“The Touch Surgery interactive surgical simulator provides a realistic guide to surgical and medical procedures, allowing trainees to learn procedures, test their knowledge, and rehearse for surgery.” 

https://www.touchsurgery.com/about

The app has over 3 million global users.  Independent academic studies have demonstrated its effectiveness for education and training

Features

  • Step-by-step simulations of surgical procedures
  • Prepare for procedures anytime, anywhere
  • Explore entire library straight to smartphone
  • Experience surgical cases with state-of-the-art 3D graphics
  • Master new techniques from top physicians
  • Free to download and use (150 procedures to choose from)  

Includes:

  • Purchasable procedures also available (in addition to the 150 that are free)  

Screenshots

    

Image Source: Touch Surgery: Surgical Videos, Apple App Store. Retrieved on December 21, 2021 from: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/touch-surgery-surgical-videos/id509740792

Specialties/Disciplines

Physicians, surgeons, surgical residents, nurses (if assisting), and healthcare professionals  

Notes

Surgical training platform for physicians and surgeons; Touch Surgery has been integrated in more than 100 residency programs in the U.S.; endorsed by American Association for Surgery of the Hand (AASH), British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Part 1: Editorial committee, content updates, and evidence grading

Based on several user testimonials, Touch Surgery is easy to navigate, and the simulations are deemed highly effective and realistic.

“This innovative app provides a user-friendly platform that helps medical professionals from all backgrounds train effectively for procedures. The 3D simulations and surgical content have been developed in collaboration with leading surgeons and academic institutions worldwide to ensure the utmost accuracy and validity. The platform is the largest and fastest growing community of surgeons learning and rehearsing operations digitally.”

“Considered as hosting the best surgical simulations” by TopOrthoApps and “an integral tool for surgeons across the world to learn, and rehearse operations” by MedGadget.

Featured in BBC News, TechCrunch, Mashable, T3 Wired, Bloomberg, The Guardian, FT, Breast Cancer Care, Tech City, TecMundo.”

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/touch-surgery-surgical-simulator/id509740792

Part 2: Source and authorship information for 3 entries

The Home page of the app contains a welcome announcement and offers additional videos (Continue Learning; Recommend), customized according to search history.  In addition, Your Specialty is linked to a user’s self-identified specialty listed in Profile (i.e. if basic surgical skills is listed in a user’s profile, the home screen of the app automatically resets to display information on first aid, suture skills, etc.)  The largest category within the app is Library, which contains a list of procedural videos, overview, and test/training guides.  

Organization of information

  • The app contains the following 3 sections:

  • Home
    • Announcement (latest news about the app)
    • Continue Learning (record of items viewed within the app)
    • Recommended (additional suggested topics based on search history) 
    • Send Feedback (users can provide comments and suggestions on using the app to the developers)
    • Your Specialty (list of topics for further viewing/reading, based on user profile)
  • Library
    • Procedures are categorized into one of the following linked specialties: global surgery, anesthesiology, basic surgical skills, cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, dentistry, emergency medicine, general surgery, neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, oro-maxillofacial surgery, orthopedics and trauma, otorhinolaryngology, plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery, respiratory therapies, trauma and emergency surgery, urology, and vascular
  • Profile (of User)
    • Details (name, profession, main interest, hospital affiliation)
    • Send Feedback (rate app on a scale of 1-10)
    • Notifications (new content, recommendations, and reminders) 
    • Privacy (end user license agreement, terms of use, privacy policy, privacy policy FAQ)
    • Clear cache and downloads
    • Logout

Navigation

  • Each procedure is illustrated with a thumbnail photo, making it easy to identify and navigate to requested content.  Procedural videos contain timecodes, allowing the user to review certain sections only in lieu of the entire procedures.  Some procedures contain links to additional references and content, enhancing the initial search.  In addition, links to procedural videos can be shared and/or bookmarked.

Extras

User Account required: Yes

Internet connection required for use: Yes

Text search field: Yes

Browsable content: Yes

Advertisements: No

Pop-up advertisements: No

In-app purchases: Yes

 

 

Devices 

Compatible with: iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Requires: iOS 13.0 or laterr.  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/touch-surgery-surgical-simulator/id509740792    
Last updated (as per App store listing): December 6, 2021

Compatible with: Android smartphones & tablets  OS compatibility Varies with devices. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.touchsurgery
Last updated (as per Google Play listing): November 23, 2021

Size

48.8 MB (iOS); Varies with devices (Android)

App Developer

Digital Surgery Ltd.

Country of Origin

United Kingdom

Contact

Customer.care@touchsurgery.com  

https://www.touchsurgery.com

Touch Surgery Labs
230 City Road
EC1V 2QY
London, UK

AOTM Contact info

We'd love to hear from you!

Do you have an app suggestion or have questions/comments about the App of the Month feature? Let us know!