Use of Mobile Apps By Healthcare Practitioners Transforming Clinical Practice

Health practitioners are more effective in their field and patients are able to reach out to medical care right at their fingertips with the use of mobile medical software applications, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) journal. "Medical devices and apps are already invaluable tools for HCPs, and as their features and uses expand, they are expected to become even more widely incorporated into nearly every aspect of clinical practice," the journal’s conclusion stated.

The demand for health related apps are not slowing down, according to Technology Review. By the end of 2015, it is projected that apps in the medical field will reach at least 500 million smart phone users worldwide. It further stated that by 2017, the app market would be worth $26 million, with the aging population driving the health care apps sector increase.

The smartphone revolution had made it easier for patients to take more control over their health care. David Pettigrew, Sagentia’s vice president of Connected Health, said remote access can also be more cost–effective.

“Benefits to medical-device manufacturers include cost savings through not having to develop a completely new device, leveraging existing platforms while adding more sophisticated sensing and data capabilities, and using an interface that consumers know and understand and is already part of their everyday life,” he was quoted as saying.

Mobile medical apps are reinventing the healthcare industry in today’s digital age. Apps that started from an information-only tool have now surged into actual medical devices.

One app allows physicians to view medical images on their iPad, iPhone and iPad touch. The physician facilitates medical diagnoses through the help of a mobile device. There is an app recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that can transform a mobile device into a mini ultrasound machine.

Many available apps have something to do with remote patient monitoring: a kind of monitor that the patient wears that send information back to the healthcare provider. Mobile medical apps are changing the future of medicine and it is expected to continue to surge as more technological innovations are introduced.

According to a report published by PharmiWeb, the global remote patient monitoring devices reached US $0.38 billion in 2013 and is expected to grow to US$ 0.98 billion in 2020. Remote patient monitoring is especially huge on patients suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Physicians are seeing the potential benefits of mobile healthcare apps. NIH cited that healthcare practitioners have reported the easy access to a drug database from a mobile device led to “more efficient decision-making and patient care.” It also contributed to better care coordination and a faster access to clinical support resources.

Healthcare apps also provide better communication between doctors and patients and with this technology health care delivery is improved. Mobile technology offers better health outcome, assist in timely access to health information. Social media sites also provide a venue to extend health care sources around the world.

The audio on-demand mobile platform Audioboom Group PLC (London AIM:BOOM) is also delivering services in the form of healthcare-themed podcasts. The firm is boosting healthcare with technology.

To contact the writer, email: vittoriohernandez@yahoo.com