Why Mobile Health Will Go Mainstream
Everywhere you turn in technology you hear talk about the way smart phones and other mobile devices are going to revolutionize the way we interact online. When you look at the way mobile devices have infiltrated the world, it’s easy to see how this network of connected devices will be able to do so many things. Sure, mobile has many weaknesses such as a small screen, a small keyboard, and limited processing power. However, what it can do is even more powerful.
At its core, mobile can do a couple of things really well. Mobile can collect information, display information, and it can be used as a messaging tool. Think about each of these areas when it comes to healthcare. Is there any doubt that mobile health will be huge? It can benefit from all three areas where mobile excels.
Each of the three areas mentioned are incredibly powerful from the perspective of the patient. Mobile phones will absolutely become a medical device that collects a patient’s health information. A mobile phone will absolutely be the place where patients get health information, notifications, alerts, and other health related notices. The mobile phone will certainly become the go to place for us to message the various healthcare providers in our lives. Whether it’s text, email, or video. All of these will become common place in healthcare.
Imagine the patient engagement that’s possible in just the above 3 areas.
I’m still not certain if mobile health applications will come from new startup companies or existing companies deploying a mobile strategy. My gut tells me it will be startup companies, but healthcare is backwards in so many ways that I won’t yet count out existing companies. What I will guarantee is that mobile will be an integral part of pretty much every area of healthcare.
John, I totally agree with you about #mhealth and smartphones. With the ACA in place more patients and physicians will select mobile as a source of healthcare management