%0 Journal Article
%@ 1438-8871
%I JMIR Publications
%V 24
%N 10
%P e37408
%T Online Symptom Checkers: Recommendations for a Vignette-Based Clinical Evaluation Standard
%A Painter,Annabelle
%A Hayhoe,Benedict
%A Riboli-Sasco,Eva
%A El-Osta,Austen
%+ Self-Care Academic Research Unit, Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, Reynolds Building, St Dunstan's Road, London, W6 8RP, United Kingdom, 44 207 5943 368, a.painter22@imperial.ac.uk
%K online symptom checkers
%K clinical evaluation
%K validation
%K assessment
%K standards
%K third-party assessment
%K quality assurance
%D 2022
%7 26.10.2022
%9 Viewpoint
%J J Med Internet Res
%G English
%X The use of patient-facing online symptom checkers (OSCs) has expanded in recent years, but their accuracy, safety, and impact on patient behaviors and health care systems remain unclear. The lack of a standardized process of clinical evaluation has resulted in significant variation in approaches to OSC validation and evaluation. The aim of this paper is to characterize a set of congruent requirements for a standardized vignette-based clinical evaluation process of OSCs. Discrepancies in the findings of comparative studies to date suggest that different steps in OSC evaluation methodology can significantly influence outcomes. A standardized process with a clear specification for vignette-based clinical evaluation is urgently needed to guide developers and facilitate the objective comparison of OSCs. We propose 15 recommendation requirements for an OSC evaluation standard. A third-party evaluation process and protocols for prospective real-world evidence studies should also be prioritized to quality assure OSC assessment.
%M 36287594
%R 10.2196/37408
%U https://www.jmir.org/2022/10/e37408
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/37408
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36287594