Many of us are glued to our smartphones, and the phrase "there's an app for that" has become an answer to any question one could have, including questions on healthcare matters. It is no surprise then that today more and more patients are using some sort of medical application to review their symptoms or seek medical advice. Currently there are 97,000 varieties of mobile medical applications; however, the Food and Drug Administration has reviewed less than 1 percent of these, leading to some important questions of liability in the event someone is harmed when using one of these apps.
The FDA proposed a set of guidelines in 2011 that would apply to a subset of apps that meet the agency's definition of medical devices, or are used as accessories to medical devices. The guidelines have yet to be finalized, but the FDA has said it will not regulate health-related lifestyle apps such as pedometers, programs that remind patients to refill prescriptions or apps that perform the functions of a personal health record system.
According to research company Global Date, the mobile health technology market is expected to exceed $8 billion in 2018, up $500 million from 2010, a 44 percent compound annual growth rate. Researchers say the industry is growing rapidly because of the wide availability of different healthcare applications. A recent PwC survey found that half of consumers believe mobile technology will improve healthcare and 59 percent of those who use some form of mobile health technology say it has replaced visits to physicians and nurses. Thirty-one percent of cell phone owners and 52 percent of smartphone owners have used their phone to look up health or medical information, while 19 percent of smartphone owners have downloaded an app specifically to track or manage their health. The FDA estimates that 500 million smartphone users will use some type of health app by 2015.
A recent survey found that a quarter of Americans said they trust symptom checker websites and mobile apps as much as they do their physicians, and 26 percent often use these resources instead of going to the physician. If that isn't shocking enough, another survey done by Digitas Health found that 90 percent of patients would accept a prescription from an app, compared with only 66 percent who would accept a prescription from their physician.
With so many people turning to their smartphones for medical advice, physicians and healthcare professionals are being put in a tough spot — do they suggest their favorite of these apps because they know patients will use them anyway? Or do they simply advise their patients not use them? Medical apps are changing the way patients, physicians and professionals are viewing healthcare. Some physicians may fear that when a patient is diagnosed with a condition they will seek information from online and mobile sources instead of getting an expert opinion from their physician.
Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente is one healthcare group that is trying to combine medical apps and physicians. Currently, Kaiser is in the stages of developing multiple mobile apps and websites to help disperse healthcare information so they have some sort of control over what their patients are learning and make sure they get all the correct information. Apps that are in development include linking patients to answers about specific personal questions and providing personalized healthcare plans. These plans include exercise regimens and reminders, such as telling patients when to take their medication and the correct dosage. Another Kaiser app allows physicians to monitor depression by keeping track of a patient's text messaging, email and phone calls. If a physician notices a significant drop in the patient's regular activity, it could be a sign of depression kicking in.
Kaiser isn't the only healthcare group trying to merge professional care with apps. Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Centers in San Diego County are also currently developing a web portal and mobile app. My Sharp will allow patients to access their medical records, double-check their physician's orders following their visits, be reminded of their medications and doses, track lab results, set appointments and even communicate with their physician. Scripps Health in San Diego is also piloting a similar application where physicians can answer patient questions any time of the day, if physicians choose to participate. Another app, Wellaho, helps assist diabetic patients in managing their condition. Through this app patients can chart their blood sugar levels, allowing physicians to answer questions no matter where the patient is located. Wellaho also includes an online forum where patients can help one another manage their diabetes through recipe sharing, exercise plans and ideas for dining out.
It is no question that medical apps are continually being used in many different situations and can even improve a patient's quality of life — if they are used correctly. Patients can do their own research in choosing which app fits their need, but physicians also need to decide what stance they will take when it comes to apps.
Amanda Wilt is assistant social media director at Transcription Outsourcing.