Mobile apps have become an integral part of our lives. We have it all in our fingertips, from our commute to food, by the marvel of codes and pretty interfaces. So what about our healthcare needs? Curious about how mobile applications have been beneficial to the healthcare industry? Read along.
From period trackers to specific apps for hospitals, we have got it all. They come with their own set of benefits. One such is the mitigation of added stress off the shoulders of healthcare workers.
The doctors’ advice is no longer restricted to their clinics, or buying medicines requires you to visit the medical shop. It can all be done from your smartphone, with video call consultations and eCommerce apps for medical stores. Further, services like booking ambulances or taking appointments are also at the palm of your fingers and much more.
Let us consider the various advantages that we have reaped, owing to this technological advancement:
Helps with Proximity issues, prevalent in remote areas
Smartphones and the internet have ironically reached every nook and corner, even the most remote areas where high-grade medical facilities are yet to reach. But this is not all bad in the end. Mobile apps enable those living in these areas to access care.
People living in these rural or remote areas can book appointments or enquire through these apps without traveling far. They can access the benefits of worthy doctors through video consultations.
Owing to the notifications received from these applications, they further stay connected to the latest updates. They could also be guided with important health guidelines and various health tips.
Self-care and Self-monitoring
Smartphone technology has evolved even out of the phones in the form of connected accessories and gadgets. Ranging from smart watches to sensors on smartphones, self-tracking one’s health is now easier than ever.
Wearables can do much more than act as just a pedometer now. You can measure and track aspects like blood pressure, blood sugar levels, weight and BMI, cholesterol level, sleep tracking, and even round-the-clock heart rate monitoring.
This is achievable when these wearables and gadgets are connected to mobile apps. The data collected gets stored, keeping a detailed history aiding in self-monitoring. The further advantage is that these apps can notify timely if any discrepancy is found in the parameters. This has turned out to be life-saving for many, and innovators are motivated to help many more.
This can be easily traced from the increasing inclusion of oximeters in smartwatches by Fitbit and Apple. They can be connected to both your android devices and your iPhone through mobile apps.
Increased accuracy in Diagnostics
Biotechnology has evolved drastically over the years, and the wrong diagnosis has become a rare phenomenon owing to these mobile apps. It had been a problem for a long time, with thousands dying out of human error. Hospitals have started using smart tablets and apps to track patient data, which often helps in future diagnostics.
When entered into certain apps, symptoms give a detailed range of options for diagnostics, and medical professionals can surely use that extra aid. Getting reports is no longer difficult as they can be easily uploaded to in-app portals and downloaded by either the concerned patient or the doctor on call.
Takes the load off medical professionals
Imagine the condition of an emergency unit during a global pandemic. Now add a dash of being responsible for the patient’s life and a sprinkle of getting all things right, oh and the order of this comes in bulk. Yes, that is the kind of stress every health professional endures.
Mobile apps with their innovation are for sure a boon for all these professionals. From prescriptions to keeping track of previous procedures help in making more efficient decisions even in emergencies. Apart from that, rather than hoarding the hospitals and clinics for reports and appointments, they have been automated. This gives the professionals breathing space apart from the time and resources to save more lives.
The big IoT and health Collab!
We have all heard of IoT, the next big thing in technology, right? But few have considered the manifold benefits it has in the medical sector. The earlier discussed benefits would not be possible without IoT.
It aids in forming a collaborative and efficient system. For instance, it helps transfer the data from monitoring gadgets and other wearables to health professionals, saving time and effort. Assessing a change or flaw in the health parameters is only possible by IoT, including alerting medical professionals and paramedics.
Data can also be efficiently shared between two different health units or even two entirely different hospitals. Apart from enabling this collaborative effort to save lives, it also generates revenues for the various stakeholders invested in the health business.
Generates Opportunities and New arenas of business
Owing to these apps, there has been a diverse growth of the health industry over the last decade. Apps related to weight loss or aiding with supportive aspects such as period care and tracking, pregnancy care, tips on caring for the sick and elderly, and so on, have created new opportunities for health professionals.
This is further beneficial for generating brand value. Various big names in the health industry have their apps with elaborate portals and even give lucrative offers as a part of loyalty programs.
Money! Money! Money!
Bill generation and payments are no longer lengthy processes full of human errors. Bills are now self-generated from the data on a particular patient. Payments do not require standing in long queues. One receives the bill on their mobile portals and can easily make online payments through these apps.
If it’s a regular medical service you require, you can automate the payment deduction, making it completely hassle-free. This has further aided transparency as the patients get access to the entire breakdown of the generated bill or can request access. Mobile app wallets are another secure way of paying bills.
Take-away
The scope of mobile apps in the medical world saw a vast expansion during the pandemic. It has come in handy and is suitable owing to the need for staying connected during lockdowns. With all the arenas that mobile technology has touched, its impact on the medical industry can be considered a privilege and a blessing.