In 2021, it is estimated that there are 6.4 billion smartphone users, and this figure is expected to increase further in the coming years. Their use has exploded in recent years, and the use of apps has grown in tandem with them. Apps are now an integral part of our lives – there is an app to help you with almost any task you can think of. Most industries are transformed by them, and the healthcare sector is no exception. Mobile health applications (or mHealth) are now widely used in health services, transforming the practice and scope of care. Here’s why healthcare providers should use mHealth apps.
What is mHealth?
MHealth apps simply connect healthcare providers to their patients through their smartphones. The ultimate goal is to improve the speed and quality of treatment for the patient. There are many types of mHealth applications, including patient administration, video calling, diagnostics, health monitoring, and productivity.
Benefits of mHealth applications
MHealth applications are exploding in the healthcare industry and their potential to benefit both patients and providers is almost limitless. They will become more and more important and it is not surprising that healthcare providers everywhere are hiring a mhealth application development service to create the bespoke mobile app they need to access and deliver the following benefits:
Convenience and connectivity
Providing healthcare through smartphone apps is extremely convenient for patients and providers. The devices are fully portable, which means support is available to patients wherever they are. Busy professionals do not need to take time off work to access services, while this is particularly useful for rural populations who may find it difficult to access facilities in urban areas. The same is true for low-income families. Meanwhile, appointments can be made quickly through the app without having to stay on the phone indefinitely. This is not only convenient for patients, but also for providers. Doctors can speak with patients via video calls rather than personal visits. This allows them to deal with minor health issues quickly and also prevents the spread of illnesses such as the flu and, of course, COVID-19. Healthcare providers can also access patient data and records from anywhere.
Diagnosis and monitoring
MHealth applications allow healthcare professionals to collect, access and share data about their patients. Medical history, consultation notes, discharge notes, and lab results are instantly available, meaning illnesses and injuries can be quickly diagnosed and action taken. Patients can help the process by using symptom checker tools built into the app to begin the diagnostic process before the doctor is involved. Using manual records can lead to diagnostic errors due to human error. MHealth applications keep accurate records, minimizing the risk of error. MHealth apps also allow providers to monitor patients continuously, checking metrics such as blood pressure, heart rate, sleep, and diet in real time. In the treatment and management of chronic and serious illnesses, this is extremely helpful.
Compliance with processing
Lack of adherence to medication is a huge health problem. A recent study found that up to 50% of chronically ill patients were not taking their prescribed medications correctly. Non-compliance causes a range of serious problems, ranging from flare-ups to preventable deaths. It also generates exorbitant medical costs. Mhealth apps can help patients follow their medication regimen by reminding them when and how much medication to take. Some apps even allow logging of side effects and symptoms.
Win time
Being a healthcare professional is a very demanding profession – and most of them are very time poor. Many professionals work more than 60 hours a week, which leads to stress and errors. This can be very damaging to patient care and puts enormous pressure on institutions. MHealth apps take the pressure off by keeping records in one place and improving workflow processes. Time spent on administration decreases while communication remains efficient and on schedule. Not only will providers save time, but they will be able to spend more time with patients rather than other tasks.
Data management
Healthcare providers hold massive amounts of data and enough paper to replenish the Amazon rainforest! With mHealth applications, communication and paper documentation can become a thing of the past. Not only is it better for the environment, but it also cuts your office supply costs and eliminates all that clutter. Most countries have laws that dictate that sensitive data is organized and kept secure – using great mHealth apps, providers can record and store patient data in a way that is automatically HIPAA compliant. and the GDPR.
Interesting related article: “What is compliance?” “