Mobile apps, may not have been the past, but it is definitely the present and future of most business ventures. There are more 3.2 billion users across with globe, and 2.47 as available in the Google play store, the gamut of mobile apps is huge.
Witnessing the rise in the acceptance and popularity of mobile apps, nearly every industry is moving ahead to integrate the same within their business operations.
The past few decades have seen a tremendous rise in the adoption of mobile apps to streamline everyday operations. From hiring a cab to commute, scheduling an appointment for spa services, ordering food and buying goods, everything has turned mobile.
Mobile Apps and the Future of Healthcare
Following the trend, the healthcare sector is also seen investing in the integration of mobile apps. Nearly 52% of the users collect information related to their health through mobile phones. And around 8% of the total mobile users have health apps downloaded on their mobile phones.
Apparently, this is just the start and the industry has a lot more when it comes to the inception of mobile apps. Well, if you aren’t sure how would mobile apps revolutionize the healthcare industry, here we have outlined the top trends that would influence the healthcare system in 2020.
Wearables
Of course, the technology of wearables tops the list. From Fitbit to smartwatches, the present-day customers are more inclined towards gadgets that track health. According to a survey, it was revealed that nearly 80% of the customers prefer wearing mobile-connected devices to keep an eye on their health and related things.
In simple terms, wearables include devices that are worn by individuals and designed in a way that gathers patient-specific data and use to deploy methods to improve the health conditions.
Starting with the basic smartwatches that track steps to the fitness bands that measure the heartbeat, the spectrum of wearables in the healthcare industry is huge. Added to the above are the recent introductions namely,
Wearables ECG Monitors:
These are adept in measuring the ECG of the patient, detect arterial fibrillation and then share the recordings with the user’s doctor. Also, the wearable device can track the distance, elevation, pace along with the readings of walking, swimming, running and biking.
Wearable Blood Pressure Monitors:
The, the wearable industry isn’t restricted to the ECG monitors, it extends to the blood pressure monitors as well. The first sight of the device appears similar to a smartwatch, the technicalities, and the functionality is a lot different.
Launched by Omron in 2019, the HeartGuide wearable device tracks the blood pressure of the patient along with basic details of calories burned, the distance walked and the steps are taken.
Biosensors:
While the above were similar to the smartwatches, biosensors are different. In the form of self-adhesive patches, these biosensors are capable of tracking the respiratory rate, heart rate, movement and temperature of the patient. Such a device owns the ability to reduce the deteriorating health condition of the patient and likewise, prevent worsening of the health.
These wearable devices are connected to mobile apps that store and share patient data with the hospital staff and the doctor in general. Here is where the concept of IoT comes into the picture.
IoT
With more than 2 billion connected devices, the technology of IoT(Internet of Things) is on the roll. Ok, imagine you want to connect with the doctor, share your problems or update him/her on your health condition.
The best you can do is call him or text him, right? Well, this could have been the only probable solution years ago. Fast forward 2020, the world has opened newer avenues for the healthcare industry to remotely track patients health.
That is the power of IoT, capable of cutting down the waiting hours of patients at the hospital, enhance the care rendered by the doctor and further, improve the engagement rate of doctor and patient.
IoT For Patients:
From fitness bands to health tracking monitors, the IoT embedded sensors help them stay connected.
IoT For Doctors:
Home monitoring instruments as embedded within the house of the patient help doctors remotely monitor the condition of the patients and render care. Often, doctors suggest patients take temporary care, in case of emergency, so as to prevent the worsening of their health condition and further, improve the care once the patient is shifted to the hospital.
IoT For Hospital:
Along with the wearables mentioned above, hospitals adopt sensors to track their medical equipment and enhance the process of stock management.
IoT For Health Insurance Companies:
There always remains a discrepancy between the health insurance companies and the insurer. The prevalence of IoT based intelligent system ensures transparency in data and the medical condition of the patient. This fosters better claims, improved underwriting, and significantly, enhanced decision making.
Now that doctors can effectively engage with their patients and track their health after release, the rate of re-admission is lowered.
E-Prescription:
Gone are the days when doctors would carry paper-based prescriptions to record and monitor patient data. Not only this method has turned outdated but replaced by apps that store and track patients’ data.
This form of digital prescriptions keeps track of all the patient-related information, the medical history, a record of all the tests and diagnostic reports. Having all the data under a single head ensures better access to the same, both by the patient and the doctor as and when required. So, you don’t have to keep files and holders piling paper after paper to record your medical background.
Final Word
While there could be many more trends that have the propensity to shape the healthcare sector, the aforementioned three are the best and have the maximum potential to revolutionize the industry.
No doubt, the invasion of mobile apps has made the life of all easy and simple. And when we keep the healthcare industry under the lens, the benefits laid by mobile apps in the life of the patient, the care is given and the overall efficiency of hospitals is tremendously high.
Apparently, this is just the start and there is more to the future of the healthcare industry given the proliferation of mobile apps. There are even now emergency notification systems you can rely on to mass-communicate with your work-force to deliver important emergency information efficiently to your workforce”
- How Mobile Apps Will Shape the Future of Healthcare - December 6, 2019