Home-friendly digital tools to track skin changes
Novel digital tools for home-based monitoring of skin disease
This project creates easy-to-use phone tools to help older adults take photos and track rashes, moles, ulcers, and other skin changes from home.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309558 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would use a simple, older-adult–friendly app or virtual assistant to take photos, report symptoms, and send that information to clinicians between clinic visits. The team designed the tools based on interviews with dermatologists, older adults, and caregivers to remove barriers like poor vision, limited mobility, and tech frustration. The project will pilot the tools with older participants and caregivers to refine usability and to collect regular, time-stamped skin images and symptom reports. Data from these home check-ins will help clinicians see flares, healing, or growths that would otherwise be missed between appointments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults (age 65+) with chronic or changing skin conditions or their caregivers who can use or assist with a smartphone or tablet would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without access to a smartphone or reliable internet, or those requiring immediate in-person care, may not benefit from this remote monitoring approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let older adults get earlier attention for worsening skin problems without frequent travel, improving care and convenience.
How similar studies have performed: Teledermatology and remote photo monitoring have shown promise, but solutions specifically adapted for frail older adults are relatively new and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Linos, Eleni — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Linos, Eleni
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.