How are Mobile Health Applications Improving Home Healthcare Outcomes?
The world of healthcare is rapidly changing, and technology is playing a significant role in this evolution.
With the increasing number of people having access to smartphones, it’s no surprise that mobile health applications, or mHealth apps, are becoming increasingly popular. According to a recent report, Mobile Health applications are expected to reach $111.1 billion in revenue by 2025.
And it’s no wonder why, as these apps provide patients with easy access to health information, telemedicine, and remote monitoring, making it easier for them to manage their health from the comfort of their homes. In fact, a study by the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that mHealth apps can improve patient outcomes by up to 25%.
In this blog, we will explore how mobile health applications are improving home healthcare outcomes and the benefits they provide to patients and healthcare providers. We will dive into the different types of mHealth apps, the ways in which they improve home healthcare outcomes, the benefits they provide to patients and healthcare providers, and the future of mHealth apps. Get ready to be inspired and excited about the possibilities of mobile health applications in revolutionizing the healthcare industry.
What are mHealth Apps?
mHealth apps are mobile applications that are designed to provide patients with health information, telemedicine, and remote monitoring. These apps can be downloaded to smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices, making them easily accessible to patients.
Types of mHealth
Some common types of mHealth applications include:
- Medication management apps:
These apps allow patients to keep track of their medications, set reminders for when to take them, and even refill prescriptions.
- Telemedicine apps:
These apps allow patients to consult with healthcare providers remotely, eliminating the need for in-person visits.
- Remote monitoring apps:
These apps allow patients to track vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and blood glucose levels, and send the data to their healthcare provider for monitoring.
How mHealth Apps Improve Home Healthcare Outcomes?
mHealth apps have the potential to improve home healthcare outcomes in several ways, including:
- Increased patient engagement:
mHealth apps make it easier for patients to access health information and communicate with their healthcare providers. This increased engagement can lead to better health outcomes, as patients are more likely to follow their treatment plans and manage their conditions.
- Improved self-management:
Mobile health applications provide patients with the tools they need to manage their health from home. Medication management apps, for example, can help patients keep track of their medications and ensure they take them on schedule.
- Reduced healthcare costs:
mHealth apps can reduce the need for in-person visits, which can lower healthcare costs for both patients and providers. Telemedicine apps, for example, allow patients to consult with their healthcare provider remotely, eliminating the need for an in-person visit.
- Better monitoring of chronic conditions:
Mobile health applications can help patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, manage their conditions more effectively. Remote monitoring apps, for example, allow patients to track their vital signs and send the data to their healthcare provider for monitoring.
New Trends in mHealth Technologies
The world of mobile health (mHealth) is rapidly advancing, with new trends emerging in the way patient health data is captured and analyzed. Leading technology companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung are integrating new approaches for health activity tracking in the design of their smartphones, which provides new ways to promote healthy lifestyles. Let’s explore some of the latest trends in mHealth technologies and how they are being used to improve patient outcomes.
Smartphone Integration
Major technology companies such as Apple, Google, and Samsung have integrated new health activity tracking approaches in their smartphones’ design.
These companies have developed platforms like Apple’s HealthKit, a central portal that organizes physical activity data from the phone’s accelerometer and other health information from associated apps.
Large-scale electronic medical records systems, like Epic and Cerner, are also working with Apple to integrate with HealthKit.
Expanded Tracking
Physical activity quantification is expanding beyond traditional step tracking. Companies like FocusMotion are expanding their portfolio of activities to include weightlifting and yoga.
Heart rate is increasingly being offered on several popular wristband devices to measure performance and caloric consumption, although such data have not been validated in peer-reviewed literature.
A new paradigm of ‘smart clothing’ allows for continuous data collection from the chest during workouts. It typically yields more accuracy than wrist-based devices in detecting heart rate during physical activity.
Predictive Algorithms
As accelerometers become more versatile and heart rate sensors become increasingly accurate and available, the apps of these data streams also increase beyond fitness into prediction algorithms.
Companies like Validic, Human API, and Open mHealth can facilitate aggregating cloud-based mHealth data for apps in various analytic models. To further expand the possibilities of such data to improve health outcomes, these services would need to integrate with electronic medical record systems.
This could lead to the development of feedback systems that objectively quantify behavior data from mHealth devices, which can help providers make more informed decisions about patient care and treatment.
Benefits of mHealth Apps for Patients
mHealth applications provide a wide range of benefits to patients, from improved self-management of chronic conditions to increased communication with healthcare providers. These apps empower patients to take an active role in their healthcare and can improve health outcomes. With the growing number of mobile Health applications available, patients have more options than ever to manage their health from the comfort of their own homes. mHealth apps provide several benefits to patients, including:
Convenience
mHealth apps allow patients to manage their health from the comfort of their own homes. This is particularly beneficial for patients with mobility issues or those who live in remote areas. Patients can access their health information, communicate with their healthcare providers, and track their vital signs all from their mobile devices.
Increased access to health information
Mobile Health applications provide patients with easy access to health information, which can help them make better-informed decisions about their health. Patients can access educational resources, symptom checkers, and even medical journals through these apps, which can help them understand their health conditions better.
Improved communication with healthcare providers
mHealth applications make it easier for patients to communicate with their healthcare providers, which can lead to better health outcomes. Patients can use telemedicine apps to consult with their healthcare provider remotely, eliminating the need for an in-person visit. They can also use messaging or video conferencing features to communicate with their healthcare provider, which can improve the continuity of care.
Better management of chronic conditions
mHealth apps can help patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, manage their conditions more effectively. Patients can use medication management apps to keep track of their medications and ensure they take them on schedule. They can also use remote monitoring apps to track their vital signs, such as blood pressure and blood glucose levels, and send the data to their healthcare provider for monitoring.
Increased self-awareness and empowerment
Mobile Health applications enable patients to take an active role in their healthcare, which can increase their self-awareness and empower them to make informed decisions about their health. They can keep track of their symptoms, set reminders for appointments and medication, and track their progress over time.
Improved adherence to treatment plans
mHealth apps can help patients adhere to their treatment plans by providing them with easy access to their medication schedules, treatment plans, and educational materials. This can improve the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the risk of complications.
Benefits of mHealth Apps for Healthcare Providers
The use of mHealth applications benefits not only patients, but also healthcare providers. By providing healthcare providers with the tools they need to manage patients’ health remotely, mHealth apps can help improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and increase patient satisfaction. In this section, we will explore the specific benefits of mHealth apps for healthcare providers.
Increased patient engagement
mHealth apps can increase patient engagement, which can lead to better health outcomes. Patients are more likely to follow their treatment plans and manage their conditions when they have easy access to health information and can communicate with their healthcare providers.
Improved communication with patients
mHealth applications make it easier for healthcare providers to communicate with patients, which can lead to better patient outcomes. Providers can send reminders and updates to patients, and patients can easily send questions and concerns to their providers through the app.
Improved remote monitoring
mHealth apps allow healthcare providers to remotely monitor patients’ vital signs, which can help them detect issues earlier and provide more efficient care. This can be especially beneficial for patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension.
Reduced healthcare costs
mHealth apps can reduce the need for in-person visits, which can lower healthcare costs for both patients and providers. Telemedicine apps, for example, allow patients to consult with their healthcare provider remotely, eliminating the need for an in-person visit.
Increased patient satisfaction
mHealth applications can increase patient satisfaction by providing them with more convenient and efficient care. Patients can easily access health information and communicate with their healthcare providers, which can make them feel more in control of their health.
Improved patient data collection
mHealth apps can help healthcare providers collect more accurate and detailed patient data. This can help providers make more informed decisions about patient care and improve patient outcomes.
Conclusion
Mobile Health applications are rapidly becoming an important tool in the world of healthcare. They provide patients with easy access to health information, telemedicine, and remote monitoring, making it easier for patients to manage their health from home.
By improving patient engagement, self-management, and reducing healthcare costs, mHealth applications have the potential to revolutionize the way healthcare is delivered. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more advanced mHealth apps in the future, providing even more benefits to patients and healthcare providers.
At Safe Hands, we provide a wide range of services in the comfort of your home, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, skilled nursing, hospice care, wound care, diabetes management, and ostomy care. All our services are designed to help our patients live a healthier, more comfortable life.
Safe Hands is constantly looking for new ways to enhance our services and improve our patients’ experience. We believe that by using technology to enhance healthcare, we can make a positive impact on our patients’ lives. With Safe Hands, you can trust that you are receiving the highest level of care and support, tailored to your specific needs.
