It is the utilization of mobile technology to achieve mobile health. It uses mobile app devices and other mobile apps on smartphones and tablet apps that enable consumers to capture their health statics without the need for a medical expert’s intervention.
What are some of the examples of the mhealth apps available?
A) Fitbit
B) Apple heart study app
C)Docsun mhealth app
d)Bluestar app
What can mhealth app devices do?
Mobile health devices can be used to track, record, and connect data. The devices use smartphones which are useful in different medical spheres that include prenatal care, cancer care, infectiology departments, and many others.
What are the benefits of using health?
A) Convenient
The mhealth devices are convenient to most consumers since they can access the health data anywhere. This is because as long as the user has access to a smartphone they have access to a lot of mobile applications where they can access their health data. They can access this information without the need to visit their health practitioner.
B) Bridge the gap
The mhealth platform offers a platform where it is easier for a consumer to communicate with a health practitioner without having to meet face to face. They can do this through instant messaging to alert the patients on a prognosis.
C) Useful in monitoring chronic conditions
There are patients in geographical areas who cannot access constant medical monitoring due to logistical considerations. Patients especially the ones with chronic conditions. Mhealth offers around-the-clock monitoring that was not available before for them.
D) Introducing new ways of diagnosis
The use of smartphones is giving healthcare practitioners room to explore new ways of doing diagnoses. This includes using noninvasive methods to diagnose or monitor health conditions. An example is the use of OCT technology used by DOCSUN Biomed Research Institute
E) Cost reduction
The use of smartphones enables the users of the mhealth apps to access information and services at a fraction of the price. At a fraction of the price, one user gains access to a medical test and other specialized procedures. Increased specialized procedures are there made accessible to a larger population.
What are some of the disadvantages of health?
A) Inaccurate information
Some apps give inaccurate data through false claims. This is done when apps claim to perform on things they can perform but lack the necessary research to back it up. This causes a lot of frustration among the consumers when they realize that the usage of such apps could have been making their conditions worse or was exposing them to further risks instead of managing them.
B) Lax on the privacy policy
Most consumers do not take time to go through the privacy policy of the mobile applications they intend on using. This may expose the consumers to a breach of their privacy. The consumers are not aware of what the vendors and the third parties are going to do with the health information the consumers have provided.
C) Non- compliance
Not all mhealth apps are compliant with the health insurance portability and accountability act. This means there is no guarantee that the consumer’s health data will be protected.
D) Integration of data is a challenge
A lot of mhealth devices were not built with the idea that they could transmit data. However, a lot of progress is being made to transfer real-time data from non-connected devices to health IT systems. This will therefore allow data collected during self-monitoring to be synchronized to the modern digital data platforms.
