By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    healthcare cybersecurity
    4 Helpful Tips on How to Protect Your Medical Practice Against Cyber Attacks
    October 24, 2021
    Health Check Diagnosis Medical Condition Analysis Concept
    6 Health Woes With Online Remedies
    January 19, 2022
    Eight Things Men Should Know About the Male Menopause
    Eight Things Men Should Know About the Male Menopause
    April 24, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond the Clinic: Medical Surveys Are a Roadmap to Passive Income for Doctors
    September 23, 2023
    5 Self-Care Habits to Help You Live an A+ Life
    September 21, 2023
    Keep Employees Safe & Healthy By Reducing Warehouse Injuries
    September 20, 2023
    What is Pneumonia? Causes, Treatment, and Care
    September 19, 2023
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Looking Ahead to an Unpredictable Future
    November 2, 2011
    mHealth Summit Conference 2011: Thoughts and Takeaways
    December 7, 2011
    PFCD 2011 Year in Review & Looking Ahead to 2012
    January 6, 2012
    Latest News
    Job Seekers with Disabilities Should at Health Insurance Benefits
    September 12, 2023
    Reasons That Drug Prices Are Rising to Unsustainable Levels
    September 12, 2023
    How Revenue Lifecycle Management Helps Healthcare Providers to Optimize Business Operations
    September 6, 2023
    The Hidden Benefits of Practice Exams for Medical Professionals
    September 6, 2023
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Tracking Health Indicators: The Role of mHealth Technologies in Improving Outcomes
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Aa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Aa
Search
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Mobile Health > Tracking Health Indicators: The Role of mHealth Technologies in Improving Outcomes
eHealthMobile Health

Tracking Health Indicators: The Role of mHealth Technologies in Improving Outcomes

Kevin Campbell
Last updated: 2013/01/31 at 8:46 AM
Kevin Campbell
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

Smartphones, tablets such as the iPad and other mobile technologies are becoming commonplace in the US today.  These devices are nimble, efficient and able to process large amounts of data while conveniently sized.  In a recent survey in 2012, it was found that nearly 95% of all Americans have mobile phones and 60% have smartphone devices.  The numbers are a bit higher in the younger age groups but the devices are prevalent even in the over 65 set.

Smartphones, tablets such as the iPad and other mobile technologies are becoming commonplace in the US today.  These devices are nimble, efficient and able to process large amounts of data while conveniently sized.  In a recent survey in 2012, it was found that nearly 95% of all Americans have mobile phones and 60% have smartphone devices.  The numbers are a bit higher in the younger age groups but the devices are prevalent even in the over 65 set.  Tablet computer sales are expected to overtake laptops in 2013–one estimate predicts that 240 million tablets and 204 million laptops will be purchased this year.  With technology at everyone’s fingertips, it is not surprising that more and more patients are using technology to track their medical conditions.

The New York Times recently reported on a survey published by the Pew Research Center on American’s health tracking behaviors.  Fortunately, as a society, it appears that we are becoming much more health conscious.  In the survey, Pew researchers found that 70% of all adults track some health indicator for themselves or a loved one.  However, much of the tracking is classified as informal and 49% say that they track “in [their] head”.  Of those who track health indicators, 35% use a paper journal and now 21% use technology such as a smartphone or tablet application.  As mentioned in the Pew report, this is the first survey conducted to examine health tracking behaviors in the US–Importantly, the survey found that 46% of those with tracking behaviors changed their approach to healthcare and have become much more engaged.  Specifically, the engagement prompted them to ask more questions of their physician and to often seek more that one opinion.

Mobile technology is a powerful tool.  Last year alone over 500 companies made healthcare related applications and there are now almost 15,000 applications for health indicator tracking on the market.  By tracking health indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, daily weights and blood sugars (among others) patients can see the impact of interventions such as diet, exercise and drug therapy.  Seeing results in real time can be very motivating.  The ill effects of chronic diseases such as hypertension and obesity are not always readily apparent to patients until end organ damage occurs.  With tracking applications, the patient is able to see the day to day variation and is engaged in the control of his or her health indicators.  As I have mentioned in a previous blog, I believe that the time is near when physicians will begin prescribing mobile health tracking applications for their patients during routine office visits.  Healthcare in the US has to change in order to be successful.  No longer can patients passively sit back and accept the fact that physicians will be able to take care of all of their healthcare needs.  Now, more than ever, patient engagement and participation is key to success.  Under the new healthcare system, physicians will face increased pressure to see more patients in less time.  Documentation challenges with electronic medical records (EMR) and other paperwork will further diminish the time spent with patients.  Patient participation in health maintenance through health indicator tracking via mobile applications will prove to be a critically important part of our healthcare system.  I foresee a doctor’s visit where a patient can download their smartphone data directly into their EMR file in their physicians office.  This ability to sync data will not only save time but will improve accuracy of the record.  Ultimately, I expect that mobile applications will be able to transmit data messages to physician offices when certain health indicators have risen to dangerous levels.

More Read

6 Innovative Technologies Making Medical Diagnostics More Predictive

A Guide to Medical Billing Services for Small Practices
How to Use E-Cigarettes to Stop Smoking
Healthcare Blogging: How to Become a Trusted Medical Source
What Has the Medical Industry Learned from COVID-19?

Technology to improve the health of Americans is here.  How and when we incorporate these technologies into the healthcare system is still developing.  As with most things in medicine in the US, the FDA will most likely begin to play a larger role in the evaluation of health tracking applications.  Ultimately, I expect the same level of regulation that we see with new prescription drugs or medical devices.  (However, that could be  subject of a blog all its own).  For now, I encourage patients and physicians to consider using medical applications in their practices.   Certainly, tracking indicators can benefit patient outcomes–patient access to data increases awareness, increases engagement and will ultimately save healthcare dollars.

The post Tracking Health Indicators: The Role of mHealth Technologies in Improving Outcomes appeared first on The Doctor Weighs In.

TAGGED: self-monitoring, self-tracking

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Kevin Campbell January 31, 2013
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article Doctor - Computer ID-10033361 Doctors and Social Media: What are the appropriate boundaries for the doctor/patient relationship?
Next Article The Much-Neglected Secret to Beating Your Healthcare Competition Online

Stay Connected

1.5k Followers Like
4.5k Followers Follow
2.8k Followers Pin
136k Subscribers Subscribe

Latest News

Anxiety Disorder
The Importance of Nutrition in Anxiety Disorder Treatment
Anxiety September 24, 2023
spinal health
How to Advocate For Your Spinal Health In A Healthcare Setting: Strategies From Dr. Brandon Claflin
News September 24, 2023
Medical Surveys
Beyond the Clinic: Medical Surveys Are a Roadmap to Passive Income for Doctors
Health September 23, 2023
tips for neurodivergent people being pulled over
Tips for People with Neurodivergent Disorders Being Pulled Over
News September 21, 2023

You Might also Like

menopause and depression
Mental Health

How Menopause and Depression are Connected

September 13, 2023
healthcare video marketing
MarketingSocial Media

How to Maintain a Successful YouTube Channel as a Healthcare Organization: Advantages of Video Marketing for your Medical Practice

November 9, 2022
Electronic Health Records
BusinesseHealthHospital AdministrationMedical Records

Top Benefits of Electronic Health Records for Psychiatrists and Psychologists

August 15, 2022
tips to design a health app
eHealth

How To Improve Patient Access Metrics

April 5, 2022
Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Follow US
© 2008-2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?