The word mHealth refers to all mobile devices and applications that give an individual the ability to connect to the different constituencies in the healthcare system. The ability to transfer selected patient health attributes to provider networks is a very important component of the current mHealth solutions. This network comprises of physicians, nurse practitioners and case workers who use the information to identify red flags in patient behaviour which can prompt the providers to take steps to manage a potential medical issue before it worsens. This results in a huge improvement of patient health and decrease in costs.
Almost everyone has a cell phone. This means that the distribution channel is already present. Also, the cost of developing …show more content…
Healthcare providers are expected to work together by coordinating healthcare delivery through accountable care organizations. The information is supposed to be easily shared through healthcare information exchanges. The list of its advantages is endless. But the challenges to success remain the same: Patient privacy, forbids information sharing across platforms and organizations.
Judging by the current scenario, mHealth is most like to suffer from the structural issues that challenge other healthcare innovations, unless something is done to prevent it. As long as patients access care from multiple healthcare providers using different systems, their complete health information will never be connected. mHealth needs comprehensive connectivity to succeed.
There is a possible way to address the issue – change the conventional thinking. If mHealth solutions were created for the patient, and not the provider, things could be a lot better. Let us see an example to understand this better.
Consider a car. Now, imagine how a driver could benefit from having a mobile app tailored for the car. Suppose the data about the car would reside with the vehicle owner and not the service provider. The app could, for example, text the driver when the vehicle reaches a certain level of miles to indicate the need for an oil
Almost everyone has a cell phone. This means that the distribution channel is already present. Also, the cost of developing …show more content…
Healthcare providers are expected to work together by coordinating healthcare delivery through accountable care organizations. The information is supposed to be easily shared through healthcare information exchanges. The list of its advantages is endless. But the challenges to success remain the same: Patient privacy, forbids information sharing across platforms and organizations.
Judging by the current scenario, mHealth is most like to suffer from the structural issues that challenge other healthcare innovations, unless something is done to prevent it. As long as patients access care from multiple healthcare providers using different systems, their complete health information will never be connected. mHealth needs comprehensive connectivity to succeed.
There is a possible way to address the issue – change the conventional thinking. If mHealth solutions were created for the patient, and not the provider, things could be a lot better. Let us see an example to understand this better.
Consider a car. Now, imagine how a driver could benefit from having a mobile app tailored for the car. Suppose the data about the car would reside with the vehicle owner and not the service provider. The app could, for example, text the driver when the vehicle reaches a certain level of miles to indicate the need for an oil