Innovative and new ways have been opened by the widespread use and adoption of mobile phone technologies. These technologies have improved health care service delivery tremendously. The mobile applications can also help individual patients in the management of their wellness as well as health. Their adoption has been as quick as their development. These applications are believed to be the main methods of ensuring delivery of high quality healthcare services. Despite all the advantages, the mobile phone health applications present certain risks as well as limitations that must be addressed. The relevant authorities need to regulate the use of these applications. This paper examines the use of mobile applications in the health sector, their adoption, use, as well as risks or limitations. Additionally, the paper discusses the specific mobile applications for chronic health issues.
The use of mobile applications has been on the rise. People have used these applications for various reasons in a bid to improve health care service delivery (Ardies, 2014). It is estimated that five hundred million individuals had Smartphones with health care applications installed on them by 2015 (Anastasius, 2016). By 2018, approximately 3.4 billion tablets, as well as smartphone users, will have at least one mobile health application downloaded on their gadgets (Anastasius, 2016). The users include patients, professionals in the healthcare sector, as well as consumers. The mobile applications can simply be defined as software programs running on mobile communication devices (MCD) or smartphones. The accessories attached to these devices and smartphones are regarded as mobile phone applications. For a mobile application to be considered a health mobile phone application, it is essential that they meet minimum requirements for a clear and concise definition of a medical device (Anastasius, 2016).
The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has a mandate of ensuring that the consumers have information on the limitations and risks of these mobile phone applications. It encourages the use of mobile phones for health purposes but controls their proliferation (Ardies, 2014). When their introduction and use is not controlled, they have a potential of harming the health of the users rather than improving it. Therefore, proper use of these applications is essential for quality service delivery. FDA is the main oversight body in the use and adoption of the mobile applications. The safety of consumers is the main priority of the FDA.
Since they became available for use by the public in 2007, these applications have played a crucial role in the health care sector. They have become an important feature of tablets, smartphones, as well as other communication devices. People have moved from the use of computer-based applications to the use of mobile phones applications. Statistics show that the number of mobile phones applications downloaded has been increasing from 2009 to 2011 (Anastasius, 2016). Several opportunities provided by the mobile phones applications exist. These opportunities are essential in the interaction between the patient and health care professionals. They offer real time checkups to the users. Their portability is also an essential feature that has led to the rise in popularity of these applications. It enables the patients to track their health conditions in various settings. This can be done when the client is away from home or in a different setting other than the health care center.
In the United States, chronic illnesses are regarded as one of the most common and expensive public health problems. These conditions can easily be prevented and managed through physical activity, healthy diets, avoidance of alcohol, and tobacco (Edelma, Mandle, & Kudzma, 2013). The main factors contributing to these illnesses can be tackled using these mobile phone applications. Physical activity is regarded as one of the most important ways of preventing as well as managing the chronic diseases. The applications allow individuals to set their personal goals within the app. This keeps them on track in their attempts to control or reduce the risks of developing chronic diseases. The patients can receive advice as well as feedback through certain social networking sites. The apps can also be used to track the progress of the patients as well as the feedback from the health care provider.
Health care professionals use various applications in the management of conditions that require close monitoring and evaluation. The main uses of these apps in the healthcare sector include maintenance of health records, consultations, communications, medical education, administration, information gathering, as well as referencing. Some of the most common apps used in gathering and sharing of information include Notability and Evernote. They enable their users to record audio, dictate, write notes, as well as the organization of materials into searchable categories. Patients can use them in recording notes during medical education. Medical education is an essential activity in the prevention and control of chronic diseases. Using cloud-based storage (CBS) applications; patients’ records can be stored for easy retrieval during visits. They allow for quick access to the data by the patient and the health care provider.
Mobile phone applications have improved contact between the healthcare providers and their patients. Certain apps are also designed to be used among the health care sector professionals. This has led to easy communication and information sharing among them. For instance, improvement of communication between the nurses, clinicians, as well as doctors in a given ward may lead to improved service delivery (Partha, 2015). By using mobile texting applications such as the Whatsapp, the health care providers can easily share information on various illnesses. The flexibility of the mobile phones also allows for easy receipt and reply of emails to ensure communication is complete among users. This enables the providers to save time, especially during emergencies. Doximity is one of the most efficient apps that have been used by doctors in sharing of information regarding certain health conditions. It has been referred to as the ‘Doctors Facebook’. Upon registration, physicians are free to interact with others within the network. Within these networks, there are discussions, online lectures, as well as consultation forums.
The use of mobile phone apps is expected to rise due to increased proliferation of these apps into the markets. However, this increase is also expected to result in other problems (Partha, 2015). Before the introduction of the mobile phone applications, patients trusted their physicians in matters of health. In the contemporary world, several individuals have begun trusting these mobile applications more than their physicians (Anastasius, 2016). This has resulted in various problems ranging from preventable disabilities to mortality. The FDA has raised alarm over this increasing trend, which threatens to wash away the gains that have been made in the medical sector over the past years. Therefore, it is essential for individuals to be educated on the use of these apps. The apps should not be used as an alternative to conventional visits to the clinics.
The importance of the mobile phone apps to the health care sector cannot be underestimated. They are crucial in the prevention as well as the management of certain medical conditions. However, their use should be controlled to ensure that the information passed to the consumers is ‘medically fit for consumption.' Scientific investigations should be conducted to ensure the practitioners, as well as the consumers understand the risks and benefits involved in their use. Standards to be met by the applications should also be put in place. This would ensure uniformity in the data provided by the applications. Due to the potential of these applications in the monitoring of certain diseases, it is essential for these programs to be promoted for delivery of high quality healthcare.
References
Anastasius, M. (2016). M-Health Innovations for Patient-Centered Care. Hershey: IGI Global.
Ardies, C. M. (Ed.). (2014). Diet, Exercise, and Chronic Disease: The Biological Basis of Prevention. Florida: CRC Press.
Edelman, C. L., Mandle, C. L., & Kudzma, E. C. (2013). Health promotion throughout the lifespan. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Partha, C. (2015). Software Innovations in Clinical Drug Development and Safety. Hershey: IGI Global.
