The Many Ways That your Smartphone Could Save Your Life

There was a really interesting article in The New York Times a couple weeks ago that does a really great job of describing the different categories of healthcare, and specifically how your smartphone can help improve your health in those areas.  The full article can be found here, but the main points can be found below.

Wellness

The first wave of mHealth (mobile health) apps are in areas like fitness, nutrition and general wellbeing which fall under the umbrella of “wellness”. Since the majority of contributing factors to diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer are lifestyle-related and therefore modifiable, these apps can be important preventative tools.

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Chronic diseases

75-85 percent of healthcare spend goes on chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. The Continua health alliance reports that remote monitoring can reduce mortality by 35-56 percent and hospitalization by up to 47 percent.

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The elderly

In our youth-obsessed world, nobody likes to think about getting old and frail. But it happens to us all (if we are lucky) and we would all like to stay active and independent for as long as possible. Independa combines sensors, tablets and mobile technology to allow family caregivers to monitor the well-being of their elderly relatives when they can’t be physically present and gives the elderly easy access to services they need.

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Obstacles

The technology required for the Mhealth revolution are mostly in place but there are other obstacles. Awareness of Mhealth apps is low among patients and medical professionals. Research from Accenture showed that among members of Generation X who had a chronic condition, only 9 percent were aware of Mhealth applications and a mere 3 percent owned one.

Mhealth is also a business in search of a business model.

The article goes much more in depth with each section talking about specific apps that can be used to improve your health, but I found these points most interesting.  The last section is where I found the most insight.

It is crazy to me that so many people are not aware of these apps and what they can do.  Maybe that comes from a perception that apps are about games and niche markets, but I was truly surprised that the numbers they gave were so low.

I also think the business model point was extremely interesting.  mHealth is combining the health world with the technology world, but in a way that has never really been done before because it is being given directly to the masses.  These apps are not something that are being restricted by doctors or hospitals but at the same time there needs to be some oversight when you get into the ones dealing with major illnesses.

It will be extremely interesting to see how companies overcome these hurdles because I have no doubt someone will and then everyone else will follow suit to try and be equally successful.

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May 16, 2011 I Written By

Filed Under: Health Care  Healthcare IT  mHealth  Mobile Health Care  Smart Phones
Tags:Healthcare Monitoring  Independa  mHealth Awareness  mHealth Funding      The New York Times  Wellness Apps

Cell Phones are Literally Saving Lives in Africa

About a month ago we posted about how there were more mobile connections in Africa than in Europe.  This was not terribly surprising to me as it is much cheaper to establish cell networks than to develop regular hardline networks.

It should then not be too surprising that doctors in Africa are taking advantage of these networks much the way that doctors in more developed area are.  This article highlights the use of telemedicine and how it is literally saving lives.  Here are some of the most interesting points:

Working at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre better known by its acronym KCMC doctor Niemi travels variously to see patients in remote areas, he does not leave  behind his gadget.

As a clinical officer  his job is mainly treating  and advising people on clinical matters, but for complex medical cases he need   specialist advice  which could be at his finger tips since he uses iPath installed in his mobile handset.

With this system he  easily send x-rays, photos of skin conditions and tissue samples and patient information to specialist doctors for consultation online.

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Although computers can also be used to upload cases, Niemi prefers his mobile phone. “Network coverage is often a problem with our office computer or laptop to upload telemedicine cases. With a camera phone with GPRS connection, it is very simple to upload cases from anywhere. We discovered that a mobile phone can open the web program needed for telemedicine quite easily and fast,” he says.

I found it extremely interesting that the cell networks are more reliable and efficient than even the computer network.  There are probably not many people who need improvements in healthcare more than they do in Africa so it is awesome to see that this technology is bringing that improvement.

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May 14, 2011 I Written By

Filed Under: Apple  Health Care  Healthcare IT  iPad  iPhone  mHealth  Mobile Health Care  Smart Phones  Telemedicine
Tags:Africa  Africa Telemedicine  GPRS    iPath    Kilimajaro Christian Medical Center  mHealth in Africa

 

. Google Health in stasis.
via web
Steve Aylward

I think anytime you hear about Google struggling with something it causes you to at least slow down and think about it.  This is a company that has revolutionized so many things in technology.  They are so strong that Microsoft continues to be foiled in trying to compete in Google’s neighborhood.

Some may see this as a bad sign for the mHealth industry, but I really just think it shows how important it is to find your market and stick with it.  Obviously the people at Google know their business well, but that doesn’t mean they are experts at everything.

mHealth has tremendous potential, but like any other industry there are more people that fail than succeed.  It is also interesting that Google has continued to pursue this industry despite almost falling apart more than once.

They have not been shy to shutdown other ventures that have proven unsuccessful but their persistence in this area should show the value that they think it possesses.  This is definitely an industry that is only going to get bigger, and with the right tools will create many success stories.

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May 13, 2011 I Written By

Filed Under: Health Care  Healthcare IT  mHealth  Mobile Health Care
Tags:    Healthcare IT    mHealth Future  

Could a Mobile App Actually Detect an Acute Stroke?

A very interesting study was recently conducted in Canada that may very well lead to the widespread use of mobile apps in clinical situations.  There are already numerous apps that can help patients deal with managing diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and even cancer treatments, but this study, published by the Journal of Medical Internet Research suggests that mobile apps may also be effective in clinical situations.

The study took place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and utilized a teleradiology system for the diagnosis of acute stroke.  I am no doctor, and I don’t claim to understand most of what was in the actual report, but there are a few things that I did understand that could prove to be extremely noteworthy in the future.

The study used currently available smart phones to see if the devices could handle the imagery necessary to make an accurate and timely diagnosis of acute stroke.

According to the study, “The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of detecting intraparenchymal hemorrhage were 100% using the iOS device…”.  Like I said, I am no doctor, but 100% is pretty darn good when it comes to diagnosing any kind of disease or injury.  While the results are impressive the study ultimately had the following conclusion:

The smartphone client-server teleradiology system appears promising and may have the potential to allow urgent management decisions in acute stroke. However, this study was retrospective, involved relatively few patient studies, and only two readers. Generalizing conclusions about its clinical utility, especially in other diagnostic use cases, should not be made until additional studies are performed.

As they stated in their own report this is an extremely small sample size with plenty of restrictions and shortcomings, but it does shed some light on what the future may hold.  With further studies and research doctors may well be able to save lives using their smartphones.  I am sure there will be plenty of naysayers out there, but if we have the technology to save lives we are only hurting ourselves if we don’t use it.

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May 12, 2011 I Written By

Filed Under: Android  Apple  Health Care  Healthcare IT  iPhone  mHealth  Mobile Health Care  Smart Phones
Tags:Acute Stroke Detection  Computed Tomography  Journal of Medical Internet Research    Mobile Apps  Smartphone Client Server  Teleradiology System

Nike+ Continues to Inspire Runners and Encourage Exercise

Nike+ started out as a relative unknown despite their huge parent company.  It was not that long ago that people really didn’t know about it and if you asked someone if they knew what it was they had no idea what you are talking about.

That has all changed.

You can now see Nike+ posts all over Facebook, and their devices all over the streets of the world.  According to their own website their members have logged over 376 million miles.  That equates to over 15,000 times around the world and nearly 15 million pounds being burned off.

What started as simply a way to track your training has developed into a worldwide community of runners that support each other without ever even knowing the other people’s names.  Like so many other social media groups, it is the power of community that makes Nike+ so powerful.

In case you are new to Nike+, there are a few different ways that you can engage in the community.

The first way is through a small attachment to the iPod Nano and a small sensor that you put in or on your shoe.  The combination of the two tracks your runs and even gives you audio encouragement letting you know how your training is going.  The biggest downside here is that it was, and still is, exclusive to the iPod Nano and not any other MP3 player, even those made by Apple.  I have often wondered why they never expanded to the other iPod devices.

There are now numerous other ways you can be a part of the community.  All of these other ways still require the small sensor to be placed in or on your shoe.

The simplest is a sportband that is comparable to a watch.  This is great if you don’t listen to music but still want your runs to be tracked.

The other option is to sync the Nike+ sensor to either your iPod Touch or iPhone.  Both of these devices have built-in support for the Nike+ sensor so all you have to do is sync it up and you are ready to go.

As part of the community you can see the types of runs that other people in your area are doing, and post your own runs to sites like Facebook.  This encouragement and sense of community helps to inspire you to run more often and farther.  You can even look at the runs of people worldwide.

What I think is one of the coolest features of the community are the challenges.  There are numerous challenges created by Nike+ such as challenges between cities to see who can run the most, running 365 miles during one year, and even monthly challenges to see who can run the most in each month.You can also create your own challenges so that you can talk a little trash amongst your friends, which for a competitor like me is great motivation.

Like many people, I really don’t enjoy running despite the fact that I feel so much better when I do.  It is communities and devices like Nike+ that make it at least a little more interesting and enjoyable.

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May 11, 2011 I Written By

Filed Under: Apple  Health Care  iPhone  mHealth  Mobile Health Care  Smart Phones
Tags:                

Wii Balance Board: Not New, but Still an Effective Healthcare Tool

Generally when you see a new post on the internet it is about some new app, gadget, or tool to help us improve our health.  In breaking with this tradition I thought it would be worthwhile to take a look at an old tool that I have enjoyed and found beneficial.

The Nintendo Wii saved its manufacture from leaving the gaming market forever.  It was the first platform to get you off your butt and moving around when you play games.  They proved to be a trend setter as the other major gaming systems have no developed similar technology.

One of the greatest accessories to the Wii is the Wii balance board which has the ability to turn even traditional gaming into a workout.  While I guess you don’t technically HAVE to get off the couch to use it, I’m not sure it would work very effectively, if at all.

A nice thing about buying the Wii balance board is that it comes with a game, Wii Fit Plus, that can keep you occupied for hours.  There are two general areas that you can use to workout, one that is exercise focused, and another that is game-based.

In the exercise arena you go through all kinds of traditional exercises such as pushups, planks, crunches, and a ton more.  There are also numerous yoga poses that you can perform.  All of these exercises can be performed individually, or you can set them up in any order you choose to perform a full workout with or without breaks as you may choose.

As you repeatedly use the game, the Wii tracks your progress monitoring such things as your weight, bmi, and even your balance.  While I am not totally sure how accurate those measurements are, I found that seeing those numbers kept me motivated to use the game regularly, and use it for longer periods of time. 

Depending on how involved you want to get you can even input outside exercise that you perform so that the Wii can track those calories burned as well.

On those days that you just don’t feel like working out you can opt to play a series of games that improve your cardio, strength, and balance.  You may not think that playing games would be that much of a workout, but I have worked myself into quite a sweat numerous times.  It is not the same type of workout as a regular run or swim, but it will burn some calories.

Like many other games it also tracks your scores and I found myself doing the activities over and over just trying to set new high scores.  Before I knew it I had burned hundreds of calories, and lots of time.

Besides Wii FIt Plus there are numerous other game makers that have developed workout games.  One of my favorite game makers, EA Games, has the EA Active games which can be done with or without the balance board.  The Biggest Loser also has their own Wii game.

Besides workout games, there are a bunch of other games that can use the Wii Balance Board.  Most of these games are board sports such as skate boarding or snow boarding, but not exclusively.  The real genius of these games is that they get people exercising instead of just wasting their time playing games.

I was talking to my brother about health related games and apps, and I realized that people don’t really care what the side effects of a game are as long as the game is fun.  In some cases these effects are seen as negative such as too much violence, but fun games that also get you moving would do a lot to help turn the tide of unhealthy, overweight children, and adults, in America.

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May 10, 2011 I Written By

Filed Under: Health Care  mHealth  Mobile Health Care
Tags:EA Active  Health Related Games  Nintendo Wii  Wii Balance Board  Wii Fit Plus

3M Unveils Advanced Mobile Healthcare App

The software helps physicians keep track of patients’ whereabouts, manages dictation, and captures charges.

By Nicole Lewis InformationWeek
may 06, 2011 11:43 AM
3M has unveiled a health application that it says will enable physicians to better coordinate and manage their daily schedules, review patient information, dictate progress notes, and log accurate charges on their mobile devices.Announced Tuesday, company officials say the 3M Mobile Physician Solution was designed with features and functionality that address many aspects of a physician’s daily tasks, and will work with many devices including the iPad, iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile devices.

Recent research has shown that users of health apps want more information, and are looking for features that will help them manage and keep track of patient data.

The 3M Mobile Physician Solution offers four main modules:

– 3M Mobile Patient Lists allows physicians to sort through patient information to identify their room number, access scheduled appointments, or locate information that shows when the patient will be seen by other doctors.

– 3M Mobile Rounds enables physicians to access patient medications, allergies, vitals, and lab test results.

– 3M Mobile Dictation allows physicians to record and transmit dictated progress notes to the facility’s dictation and speech recognition systems. Physician voice files are automatically linked to the correct patient, eliminating the need to enter patient identifier numbers, and reducing errors and promoting faster transcription turnaround time.

– 3M Mobile Charge Capture enables physicians to capture professional fee charges for any patient encounter by selecting and pairing the correct billing codes with the appropriate diagnosis or procedure.

“3M Mobile Physician Solution is the first software we’ve released that integrates 3M’s coding logic and brings 3M’s coding expertise to the physician in real-time and at the point of care,” said Steve Retz, business manager, document creation products at 3M health information systems.

By integrating coding logic into the physician equation, doctors can access codes on their mobile devices instead of referring to the codes listed in a book. These codes provide information on professional fees for visits and consultations, as well as billing codes with the appropriate diagnosis or procedure.

Additionally, these codes can act as a guide to show when a charge isn’t appropriate given the patient’s demographics, for example, if a charge is coded for an adult procedure on a pediatric patient. Retz said the software also helps prevent lost or missing charges, so physicians receive the full reimbursement to which they are entitled. He also pointed out that the technology will assist with ICD-10 coding.

“We feel 3M Mobile Charge Capture with physician advice will ease the migration to the new ICD-10 coding standard, which will be disruptive to the current charge-capture process because physicians will have to record charges with much more coding specificity,” Retz said.

The 3M Mobile Physician Solution integrates with electronic health records and physician practice management systems using standard healthcare data exchange technology (HL7). The company declined to say how much the new system costs, but did say the software is being offered at a special introductory pricing through September 30 of this year.

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May 9, 2011 I Written By

Filed Under: Android  Apple  Blackberry  Health Care  Healthcare IT  iPad  iPhone  mHealth  Mobile Health Care  Smart Phones  Tablets
Tags:3M  3M Mobile Physician Solution  3mMobile Charge Capture      EHR  Electronic Health Record    HL7        Mobile Healthcare App  Practice Management Systems  Steve Retz

New Verizon Casio Android Smartphone Ruggedized for Hospital Use

Most people are probably a lot like me in that they are pretty rough on their cell phones.  If you are looking for a phone that can handle the abuse that you generally give your phone, Casio has come out with a new phone in conjuction with Verizon Wireless that completely blows my mind.

The G’zOne Commando conforms to the rugged MIL-STD-810G military standard for durability as it was designed for people who work in hospitals, construction, and other more trying environments, but that is just the start.

It has 1mm-thick tough glass and bumper edges allowing the unit to withstand some drops.  It can also survive temperature extremes ranging from 185 degrees to -13 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 96 hours.  Obviously a little more extreme than what most people have to endure on a regular basis, but it is nice to know you will never even get close to hurting it.

The device can also handle environmental conditions such as heavy dust, salt fog, solar radiation, shock, humidity, vibrations, and liquid immersion.  So essentially what they are saying is it can handle just about anything you could even think to throw at it.

Just in case you actually intend to use your phone and not just abuse it, there are a ton of great features it has in terms of operability.

Security features provided through Microsoft’s EAS (Exchange ActiveSync) allow users to encrypt data in transit, remotely wipe information, enable device inactivity timeout and set password complexity.  It also allows workers to access inventories and capture signatures.

The device runs the Android 2.2 Froyo operating system and operates on Verizon’s 3G/EV-DO network. Much like other new smart phones, it serves as a WiFi hotspot for other devices, but it does not function on the 4G network at this point.

It has eight different operating modes, including Earth Compass and Walking Counter, which tracks steps, distance and energy consumption.  Trip Memory allows users to keep track of outdoor activities and share the information with contacts on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

The unit weighs 5.4 ounces, measures 5.1 by 2.6 by 0.6 inches and features a 3.6-inch WVGA display. It also features XT9 and T9 trace input for efficient typing.  If you have never used it before it does take a little time to get used to it, but is pretty cool once you do.

In addition, G’zGear software allows users to navigate outdoor environments, while using Triple Sensor technology to keep track of direction, acceleration and temperature.

The G’zOne also incorporates a 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus, LED flash and video capture. Plus, it comes with 1GB of flash memory and 512MB of RAM.

The G’zOne Commando retails at about the same price as other comparable smart phones, and it is available for purchase as of last week.

Other leaders in rugged mobile devices for harsh environments include Motorola, Motion Computing, and Samsung.

If you are looking for a tablet that can take a little more of a beating than the iPad, Motion Computing has announced its rugged CL900 tablet for verticals such as health care and retail, and T-Mobile carries the rugged Motorola Defy Android smartphone on its network. The Defy’s 3.7-inch touch screen is resistant to water and scratches.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s line of rugged Rugby phones on AT&T are also marketed to verticals in tough working environments. The Rugby II is a 3G two-way push-to-talk device suitable for extreme temperatures, shock and vibration.

Obviously this phone, if you are okay with only calling it a phone, is a lot more than most people need, but if you have ever had to deal with a shattered screen, water damage, or any of the other damage we do to our phones, it may be worth it to buy something that can handle a little more than most phones.

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May 8, 2011 I Written By

Filed Under: Android  Health Care  Healthcare IT  mHealth  Mobile Health Care  Smart Phones  Tablets
Tags:                        

ASCO Launches Cancer.Net Mobile, a New App for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the world’s leading professional organization representing cancer physicians, today released Cancer.Net Mobile for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch – a free app designed by oncologists to help people with cancer and their caregivers plan and manage cancer treatment and care. The app includes comprehensive, doctor-approved information on more than 120 cancer types, together with a package of interactive tools for patients. Cancer.Net Mobile is available for download in Apple’s App Store and is the mobile companion to ASCO’s award-winning Cancer.Net website (www.Cancer.Net).

“Cancer.Net Mobile puts up-to-date, accurate cancer information and interactive tools at the fingertips of people living with cancer and their families and caregivers, wherever they are,” said ASCO CEO Allen S. Lichter, MD. “Cancer.Net Mobile was developed by leading cancer doctors with patients and their caregivers in mind, to help them take charge of their cancer care and get the most out of doctor’s visits.”

In addition to its comprehensive cancer guides covering more than 120 common and rare types of cancer, Cancer.Net Mobile includes interactive tools for patients and caregivers to:

  • Keep track of questions to ask their doctors, record voice answers, and choose from frequently-asked questions suggested by Cancer.Net experts
  • Save important information about prescribed medications, including photos of medicine labels and bottles (on camera-enabled devices)
  • Track the time and severity of symptoms and side effects during treatment, to aid in reporting them during doctor’s visits
  • Learn about new cancer care topics through weekly podcast and video interviews with ASCO member physicians

Cancer.Net Mobile offers a portable version of the extensive cancer information library available on the Cancer.Net website, with expert information about treating cancer, managing side effects, managing the cost of care, and coping with a cancer diagnosis. All Cancer.Net content is reviewed for accuracy and completeness by an editorial board composed of more than 150 medical, surgical, radiation, and pediatric oncologists; oncology nurses; social workers; and patient advocates. This ensures that the cancer information provided reflects the latest advances in cancer science and clinical practice. Cancer.Net is supported by the Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO.

Cancer.Net Mobile is available for download in Apple’s App Store at http://itunes.com/apps/cancernetmobile (iTunes required). It is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices running iOS version 3.2 or later. Cancer.Net Mobile is a free tool provided by ASCO. Cancer.Net Mobile app updates will be issued regularly as the cancer guide content is updated.

About ASCO
 The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With nearly 30,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs, and peer-reviewed journals. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.cancer.net.

About the Conquer Cancer Foundation
 The Conquer Cancer Foundation is working to create a world free from the fear of cancer by funding breakthrough research, by sharing knowledge with physicians and patients worldwide, and by supporting initiatives to ensure that all people have access to high-quality cancer care. Working in close collaboration with a global network of top scientists and clinicians, as well as leading advocacy and research organizations, the Foundation draws on the passion and expertise of the nearly 30,000 oncology professionals who are members of its partner organization, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). For more information, visit www.conquercancerfoundation.org.

I can’t even begin to imagine how hard it would be to manage cancer treatments, but I can imagine that any kind of help is a good thing.  I like how they added a voice feature for those people that find it hard to type on small keyboards.  One of the great things about this app is how it applies to so many different types of cancer.  It has to be helpful to doctors as well knowing that their patients can get reliable information even when they can’t personally give it to the patient.  With all the information out there it is essential that patients receive the accurate stuff because their lives truly are on the line.  I would also think it would improve treatment for doctors to get more accurate information regarding the symptoms and side effects their patients are having.

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May 7, 2011 I Written By

Filed Under: Apple  Health Care  iPad  iPhone  mHealth  Mobile Health Care  Smart Phones  Tablets
Tags:Allen S. Lichter  American Society of Clinical Oncology  Apple's App Store  ASCO    Cancer.Net Mobile  Conquer Cancer Foundation      

Lessons Learned from FDA Cleared Mobile Health Devices

Like so many other things the government may start making life more difficult for mHealth companies in the future through regulations.  It really does not surprise me as they like to stick their nose in everything, but there are a few different perspectives at this point.  There is a great article by Brian Dolan at mobihealthnews.com about FDA Cleared Mobile Health Devices.  I have included a few interesting parts of the article below.  It is clear that the FDA will change their involvement the question is now what impact they will have.

“We need to balance our desire for safety with rational risk tolerance and transparency,” the West Wireless Health Institute’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Smith said during his presentation at the Institute’s Health Care Innovation day in Washington, DC last week. “And I think — I’ve not shared this with them — but I think we need to get the FDA out of the business of assuring absolute safety and into one of absolutely assuring transparency around risks and making sure decisions are well-informed as opposed to trying to protect all of us from the rare circumstances of failed technology.”At the event FDA officials confirmed that a draft guidance document focused on how the agency might regulate health apps would likely publish in the coming months. Officials acknowledged that apps included just a small sliver of the activity going on in mobile health, but it is a start. The FDA will seek commentary on the draft document from the industry during a 60 or 90 day period, officials said.
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“Our intent was to support both patients and healthcare providers in the management of chronic disease,” Sysko said. “As we looked at the regulations as early as 2005 of the software that the FDA had published, it was really clear to us that we were an accessory to a medical device — an accessory to a blood glucose meter… We thought that there were sufficient guidelines from a software perspective to go ahead. Little did we know that it would be a long journey and there were many bumps along the way — many self-inflicted — but we felt that it was absolutely something we would have to do to bring our product to market.”

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May 6, 2011 I Written By

Filed Under: Android  Blackberry  Health Care  Healthcare IT  iPhone  mHealth  Mobile Health Care  Smart Phones  Tablets
Tags:Airstrip Technologies  Brian Dolan  David Zar  Dr. Cameron Powell  Dr. Jonathan Sackner-Bernstein  Dr. Joseph Smith    FDA 510(k)  FDA mobile health regulation  iPhone medical apps regulation  Mobile Health Companies  Mobisante  Ryan Sysko    West Wireless Health Institute


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