A method for determination of hematocrit using the mobile app “HaemoCalc”: Validity, reliability, and effect of user expertise
Abstract We evaluated validity, reliability, and effect of user expertise of “HaemoCalc”, a mobile phone application for hematocrit (Hct) measurement from fingerpick blood samples, compared to a traditional Hawksley microhaematocrit reader (MHR). Experiment 1 examined the effect pitch angle during i...
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Wiley
2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70314 |
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| author | Lawrence D. Hayes Nilihan E. M. Sanal‐Hayes Maryam Ellam Marie Mclaughlin Michelle G. Swainson Nicholas F. Sculthorpe |
| author_facet | Lawrence D. Hayes Nilihan E. M. Sanal‐Hayes Maryam Ellam Marie Mclaughlin Michelle G. Swainson Nicholas F. Sculthorpe |
| author_sort | Lawrence D. Hayes |
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| description | Abstract We evaluated validity, reliability, and effect of user expertise of “HaemoCalc”, a mobile phone application for hematocrit (Hct) measurement from fingerpick blood samples, compared to a traditional Hawksley microhaematocrit reader (MHR). Experiment 1 examined the effect pitch angle during image capture exerted on the validity of Hct values. Twenty participants' samples were analyzed at 0°, 10°, and 20° directly over the sample, and 33° with a 10 cm setback. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant effect of angle on Hct values (p < 0.01). Measurements at 33° pitch differed from other angles and the MHR (p < 0.001, d = 2.31–3.06). Bland–Altman analysis showed good agreement at 0°, 10°, and 20° (mean differences: −0.4% to 1.0%) but poor agreement at 33° (mean difference: −4.4%, LOA: −0.7% to 8.4%). Experiment 2 assessed inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability of expert and novice users (n = 12). Participants performed three trials each. HaemoCalc and MHR showed excellent reliability (ICC = 0.95–1.00). No differences were observed between experts and novices (p = 1.000, d = 0.01–0.39). HaemoCalc is a valid and reliable tool for Hct measurement at small pitch angles and in expert and novice users. The HaemoCalc app offers scalability, repeatability, health and safety benefits, and potential applications in medical education and remote learning. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-15f3e44bdad64b50822f7d358e7ea764 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2051-817X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| series | Physiological Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-15f3e44bdad64b50822f7d358e7ea7642025-08-20T02:20:25ZengWileyPhysiological Reports2051-817X2025-04-01138n/an/a10.14814/phy2.70314A method for determination of hematocrit using the mobile app “HaemoCalc”: Validity, reliability, and effect of user expertiseLawrence D. Hayes0Nilihan E. M. Sanal‐Hayes1Maryam Ellam2Marie Mclaughlin3Michelle G. Swainson4Nicholas F. Sculthorpe5Lancaster Medical School Lancaster University Lancaster UKSchool of Health and Society University of Salford Salford UKLancaster Medical School Lancaster University Lancaster UKPhysical Activity for Health Research Centre, Institute for Sport, P.E. and Health Sciences University of Edinburgh, Moray House School of Education and Sport Edinburgh UKLancaster Medical School Lancaster University Lancaster UKSport and Physical Activity Research Institute, School of Health and Life Sciences University of the West of Scotland Glasgow UKAbstract We evaluated validity, reliability, and effect of user expertise of “HaemoCalc”, a mobile phone application for hematocrit (Hct) measurement from fingerpick blood samples, compared to a traditional Hawksley microhaematocrit reader (MHR). Experiment 1 examined the effect pitch angle during image capture exerted on the validity of Hct values. Twenty participants' samples were analyzed at 0°, 10°, and 20° directly over the sample, and 33° with a 10 cm setback. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant effect of angle on Hct values (p < 0.01). Measurements at 33° pitch differed from other angles and the MHR (p < 0.001, d = 2.31–3.06). Bland–Altman analysis showed good agreement at 0°, 10°, and 20° (mean differences: −0.4% to 1.0%) but poor agreement at 33° (mean difference: −4.4%, LOA: −0.7% to 8.4%). Experiment 2 assessed inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability of expert and novice users (n = 12). Participants performed three trials each. HaemoCalc and MHR showed excellent reliability (ICC = 0.95–1.00). No differences were observed between experts and novices (p = 1.000, d = 0.01–0.39). HaemoCalc is a valid and reliable tool for Hct measurement at small pitch angles and in expert and novice users. The HaemoCalc app offers scalability, repeatability, health and safety benefits, and potential applications in medical education and remote learning.https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70314hematocritlimits of detectionmedical educationmobile appred blood cellssoftware validation |
| spellingShingle | Lawrence D. Hayes Nilihan E. M. Sanal‐Hayes Maryam Ellam Marie Mclaughlin Michelle G. Swainson Nicholas F. Sculthorpe A method for determination of hematocrit using the mobile app “HaemoCalc”: Validity, reliability, and effect of user expertise Physiological Reports hematocrit limits of detection medical education mobile app red blood cells software validation |
| title | A method for determination of hematocrit using the mobile app “HaemoCalc”: Validity, reliability, and effect of user expertise |
| title_full | A method for determination of hematocrit using the mobile app “HaemoCalc”: Validity, reliability, and effect of user expertise |
| title_fullStr | A method for determination of hematocrit using the mobile app “HaemoCalc”: Validity, reliability, and effect of user expertise |
| title_full_unstemmed | A method for determination of hematocrit using the mobile app “HaemoCalc”: Validity, reliability, and effect of user expertise |
| title_short | A method for determination of hematocrit using the mobile app “HaemoCalc”: Validity, reliability, and effect of user expertise |
| title_sort | method for determination of hematocrit using the mobile app haemocalc validity reliability and effect of user expertise |
| topic | hematocrit limits of detection medical education mobile app red blood cells software validation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70314 |
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