As innovation in the health IT sphere continues to generate new ideas and technologies, mHealth also continues to gain popularity.
Here are seven ways mHealth is improving the healthcare landscape, according to Forbes.
1. Telemedicine builds stronger relationships. Mobile health enables patients and physicians to constantly and instantly communicate and interact. What's more, "[mobile health] offers the luxuries of personalization and convenience without exposing yourself or your child to the 15 other sickly patients normally waiting in your doctor's office," reads the report.
2. It is convenient. Being able to communicate with physicians on the go is becoming more commonplace, and more desired, in this increasingly technologically connected world. Patients can address concerns while traveling, for example, and be able to speak with a physician they know and trust. The report adds parents may be put at ease when they can instantly reach their physician for any simple health concerns related to their child.
3. Complexity levels fall. "Complexity is defined by the speed at which industries change and the interdependence of relationships therein. Telemedicine reduces both," reads the report.
4. Patients can increase their health awareness. With online patient portals and apps allowing patients to access their medical records, they can become more engaged in their healthcare plan.
5. mHealth creates a shared purpose. Patients and providers alike are using mHealth and its array of tools for the higher purpose of better health. Patients are becoming more informed healthcare consumers, and providers are finding ways to make life easier for patients, according to the report.
6. It is more efficient. Not only can mHealth apps provide instant information, telemedicine can especially help physicians and practices handle the increasing number of patients in a time-efficient manner, according to the report.
7. Physicians gain flexibility. Physicians can answer question on-the-go and create a malleable work environment by having mobile access to patients and information.
More articles on mHealth:
Dignity, St. Joseph Health invest in mHealth startup AirStrip
7 new mHealth apps
Aetna to phase out mobile app CarePass, revealing tough market for mHealth