Using Mobile Healthcare Apps for Medical Management

Mobile healthcare applications are tools patients can use to better manage their health. Research has shown that patients who take an interest in their health are more likely to make informed medical decisions. Healthcare apps should only be used as a supplement to regular discussions and visits with a patient’s physician.

Features
Basic features of numerous healthcare apps include the ability to record vital signs, track health progress, record and share medical notes, send secure communications to a physician, and access information that relates to any medical conditions the individual may be suffering from. Newer healthcare apps are offering some of the most cutting-edge technologies available. For instance, VirtualHealthCheck.com records and sends a patient’s vital signs to healthcare providers and alerts them when the results fall out of range. This means a quick response from medical personnel if any of the levels fall in an unsafe range. Another Smartphone app is currently being developed that will call an ambulance automatically if a person’s heart rate or pulse rate fall outside safe parameters.



Pros
Healthcare mobile applications have advantages for both patients and medical professionals. If a doctor’s office uses a mobile app to set-up or cancel appointments, it can streamline the process of scheduling and reduce the manpower spent on these tasks. Test results can also be sent via a mobile application. This gives the patient a chance to review the documents and store a copy through the app. One of the major positive effects of using a mobile healthcare application is that it could give the patient access to their electronic medical records. Electronic medical records allow patients to view their medical information anywhere that Internet access is available. Doctors are responsible for updating electronic medical records and providing visit notes, post-op instructions, preventative care measures and patient reminders. The goal of mobile healthcare apps is to give patients the chance to receive accurate medical information regardless of the time or their location. For instance, if a patient has a question about his medications while traveling, he can review drug dosing and instructions through a mobile healthcare application. Accurate maintenance of patient records is another advantage of healthcare apps. Patients can save daily records of vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Without the need to phone the office, the results can be electronically sent to a physician.

Cons
One of the significant drawbacks of mobile healthcare applications is a person may mistakenly use the information in lieu of seeking medical advice. Although the information provided by the app may be informative, any type of illness or medical condition should be evaluated by a physician. Another concern of mobile healthcare apps is the type of security in place. A patient needs to know that the most high tech security measures are in place to ensure health records are kept private. Additionally, sending data through a mobile healthcare app can be problematic if the individual is in a dead zone without the ability to connect to a mobile browser. In some cases, a mobile healthcare app may be impractical. For instance, if the patient needs to be seen immediately by a doctor, he should call into the office instead of requesting an appointment through a mobile app. Web and native applications affect what type of access the patient has to her information. Native apps can operate offline through server databases while web apps require Internet access.

Bottom-Line
A mobile healthcare app is a tool that patients can use at home to manage their health. Usage of mobile health apps is forecasted to grow significantly over the next few years. Most healthcare apps are free or inexpensive and provide a slew of essential healthcare tools. As more physicians’ offices begin using electronic healthcare records, a mobile app will allow patients to review all of their medical information in a single place. Patients should speak to their doctor for a healthcare app recommendation and find out if the office utilizes an app to communicate with patients. Patients should only use trusted mobile healthcare apps that employ encryption techniques and password protection to keep data secure. If an application is installed as a way to record vital signs, the patient should be advised to contact a doctor if he witnesses any changes in his health.