Incidents involving a medical device including diagnostic tests, software and apps
I encourage anyone and everyone who has any such issues to file a report. It is a pretty painless, easy process.
If you have any doubt whether you should make a report, do so. The MHRA are perfectly able to handle inappropriate reports - for example, where they have no authority.
I STRONGLY encourage reporting to the MHRA even if you ALSO report to the supplier/vendor.
One issue I found in looking at the Airmid UK mobile phone app is that it has accessibility issues. Such as important test information displayed in mid-grey on a light-grey background - and in tiny type. If you don't have near-perfect vision, it could very well be impossible to read. Although my report was about other issues, I included this as it is important.
More information about the main issue I reported is available on this thread:
Thanks for this information helvella . I am having trouble with lots of printing on all different coloured backgrounds lately. Why they think anything other than black on white is acceptable, I'll never know.
While I was at university we were regularly given the choice whether to have handouts printed on white or blue paper. The reason given for the blue paper was that it made it easier to read for people with reading difficulties such as dyslexia.
Unfortunately, I find it fairly hard on most different coloured backgrounds, and much prefer black on white background. Unfortunately, I suppose, you can't please everyone.
I'm a professional editor and proofreader and find it incomprehensible that information is presented in this way.
For websites there are strict rules governing how text in particular is presented - though you wouldn't think it with some of them out there - so why not extend that to other genres?
Unfortunately there is often a battle between editor and designer with one urging for clarity of text and aesthetics and the other wanting to express their artistic flair no matter what and with little regard for the reader. I speak from experience, sadly, though perhaps I've just been unfortunate.
Add into the mix fashion and trend and it becomes even more complex.
The same problems are apparent for instructions and nutritional info on foodstuffs and on medication bottles, packets and leaflets. It's ageist as much as anything else and manufacturers shouldn't be able to get away with it.
The way websites and apps have gone drives me potty. My eyes are quite good (at least, for my age!), yet many become relatively inaccessible.
We also see an almost total lack of sign-posting. The "old days" of links being clear (underlined and coloured, typically), etc. , have long disappeared. We have to guess what might be needed. Some sort of swipe, or scroll, or double-click on some text.
I have at least mentioned it in my MHRA report. But anyone who is affected by any health app might consider putting in complaints - to the company, whoever points you at it, the MHRA, or anyone else.
We are at the point where a significant case is required. A company having to withdraw, update and re-issue their app. With publicity and sufficient cost to make them (and everyone else in the sector) think again.
The other issue is the super sensitivity of websites/apps - you only have to half hover the cursor/finger over a link and you're whisked off to another site. So very annoying.
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They say T3 is bad for us! MHRA website shows numbers of yellow card reports Levothyroxine (T4) = 669 versus Liothyronine (T3) = 24
