Many physicians are still wary of using data collected through a patient's mHealth device when making clinical decisions.
Making sure a provider receives the information from an mHealth device is a key issue. Often patients bring in readings on a printout that is then scanned into his or her record. Some medical centers, such as Hackensack (N.J.) University Medical Center, are starting trials with a few patients to track the transfer of basic medical information from an mHealth device to monitor health. However, physicians and nurses have said a system to receive the information electronically would be more efficient, according to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.
Generally, mHealth devices are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so their accuracy is not officially reviewed. Additionally, private technology companies are not subject to the strict HIPAA laws about protected health information, so they are not prohibited from sharing and selling information collected by apps, according to the report.
Reimbursement is also a concern. Physicians are not paid for the time they spend outside the practice responding to emails or making an analysis based on patient data, according to the report.