The introduction of mobile health operating systems has made it possible to share information at the touch of a screen anywhere and at any desired time. Cloud computing has now provided seamless access to shared data, resources and common infrastructure. Organisations offer services on demand and perform tasks that meet the changing needs and standards. Mobile health or mHealth integrates cloud computing technology and devices such as tablets, mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Mobile telemedicine, storage of patient data, personalized monitoring of vitals, location-based medical services, emergency response and persuasive access to health care information are the range of applications and services provided by mHealth systems.
mHealth enables instant recording of information and a reduction in the duplication of tasks. It helps to conduct virtual meetings and eliminates the need to move to new locations. However, mHealth faces hindrances such as practicalities of data storage and management, availability and maintenance of the network as well as compatibility and interoperability.
A mobile health operating system called medopad has been released that helps to provide software, security, data connectivity to a number of major National Health Service hospitals in London. Medopad is neither an app or a device but it provides software solutions. It incorporates the Apple Watch to help manage chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients. A medopad also enables the doctor to take a photo of the patient’s visible symptoms and shares them through the system with other professionals who can advise them. Medopads also have the ability to automatically serve up relevant patient records on an iPad as a doctor approaches the bed. From monitoring the vital signs of cardiac patients in remote areas of Sri Lanka to modifying a patients’ heart medication while they are on a vacation in the U.S., mHealth is set to redesign the experience of healthcare.
The increasing usage of smartphones along with easy access to 3G and 4G connection across the globe is driving the mHealth market growth according to a report published recently by Value Market Research. In addition to this, the low cost and convenience of medical devices, technological innovations, integration of wireless technologies, affordability of smartphones and government initiatives are also some of the factors boosting the mHealth market as stated in the report. The main challenges for mHealth are low accuracy issues, lack of technological awareness and the need to ensure that the underlying IT infrastructure is secure and that the patient data privacy is properly protected. The system can only access information when it is connected to hospital servers. If a system is taken out of the hospital premises the medopad software allows automatic wiping of its function. The whole team can use the medopad including physicians, nurses and administrators and the individual health care provider has the authority to decide in each case who all are authorized to use the medopad.
Aside from this, there is a Google-glass app that surgeons utilize during surgery which enables them to share any procedure for training purposes or consultation with other specialists who are not in the room.
Naira Shekhawat has been into Content Writing just after completing her Graduation in English Literature. Her love for words has won her many accolades in her respective jobs ever since. Naira covers business sections for VMR News. She is a traveller by heart and loves writing on food blogs as a freelancer.