5 Ways Mobile Apps Impact Healthcare

With technology influencing every aspect of our everyday lives, it is not surprising that healthcare technology helps the health and fitness industry grow. The applications nowadays can be used in several ways and are capable of providing ease to the users. The advanced functionality of applications has transformed the healthcare industry entirely. Due to the increase in the use of health and fitness applications, the market is expected to increase in the future.

This promising new way of accessing one’s health is preferred by many people who don’t want to leave their home’s comfort. Telehealth is an emerging healthcare trend and reality. Moreover, the use of these apps has also changed how the healthcare system operates in different countries and how users respond to the information they receive.

Here are five ways in which mobile applications are impacting the healthcare industry.

1 – Affordable Healthcare and Fitness

A personal trainer at a gym would undoubtedly cost you an arm and a leg. While an application that more or less provides you with the same functionality wouldn’t be so costly – in some cases, free too! The popularity of Peloton highlights the at-home fitness craze.

With the right fitness application on your phone, you no longer need to go searching for a gym or yoga class in your vicinity. You can log into your applications store and purchase an app or even download a free one. The best thing is, if you don’t like it, you can uninstall it and get a new one! Unlike gym fees, which are a monthly financial commitment, they tend to go unused after new year’s resolutions fade.

The current health revolution is real, and it is these fitness applications that are the backbone! According to experts, these applications could have a remarkable impact on your life forever. Mobile app development has taken health and fitness to an entirely new level. You can no longer use money as an excuse to avoid exercise; all the instructions are right there on your phone and in your home! Healthcare applications are not just for fitness fanatics; they are also useful in providing essential information to help conduct an adequate diagnosis.

2 – Improved Patient Engagement 

The current healthcare industry has several procedures that make it challenging for patients to engage with their healthcare providers.  Some of these are a series of complex processes that the patients need to undergo inside a hospital. The lack of quality and transparency can lead to patients being misdiagnosed. How many times have you been waiting inside the doctor’s office for hours to be checked for a minor ailment when you could notify you through a text message that your doctor has other commitments? By the time it is the patient’s turn, they are already quite frustrated, which increases the chances of a wrong diagnosis. The use of mobile apps and telehealth can help eliminate the long lines outside the doctor’s office and improve the quality of service.  Improved patient access and patient engagement are healthcare trends for 2020 and beyond.

Another issue that patients face is that they forget to fill their prescriptions promptly. Pharmacies are crowded, and insurance companies make it challenging. There are now apps that can notify you when your prescriptions are running low and even ask you when you want to pick up your refill. Several applications allow you to order your pills online as well and have them delivered to your home.

3 – Better Diagnosis

There is a small window for telling a doctor about your symptoms, but no information can be missed when you are using a mobile app to track your vitals. The data collected through the sensors is bound to store even the smallest details and result in better patient diagnosis. Moreover, the data collected is linked to open an array of opportunities for healthcare providers. They will be able to monitor and use the data for research purposes.

Once the data is collected, there will be a need to develop a suitable system to take care of the data. The lack of a data storage system is an opportunity for software developers. There would be a need for in-house nurses, doctors, and professionals who would be available to handle the calls and manage the data. The digital applications would provide an effective way to handle this data and manage it for further processing.

4 – Decreased Chance of Medical Fraud

Medicare often results in high costs.

Consequently, many people avoid visits to the doctor and suffer from pain. It is estimated through various research that medical fraud is draining millions of dollars’ worth of money every year! The introduction of smart applications is bound to keep a check on the costs incurred. The apps keep track of the money that is being spent in real time.

The apps will allow the healthcare industry to be more transparent and fair. Moreover, applications can use relevant information to correlate claims. The most common way of conducting medical theft is when people use medical cards to purchase digitally. An application would help to locate the activity and reverse the transaction!

5 – Increasing Opportunities for Patient Self-Care

There are so many of us who will avoid visiting the doctor at all costs. Healthcare mobile apps help patients to be more responsible for their health. Several applications help you build a healthy lifestyle. The following are a few examples of how you can utilize healthcare applications:

• Managing weight: You can use several apps to maintain your weight. There are usually workout plans such as HIIT or aerobics, which can help you stay active and keep track of your calories burned.
• Personal Growth: Yoga and meditation instructors are usually very costly. Many mobile apps can provide you with an instructor’s guidance at home and help you monitor your physical and mental health.
• Healthcare for Women: Women can easily track their monthly cycles and pregnancy-related issues with mobile apps. These apps’ prediction algorithms provide entirely accurate information and come with various features such as community support symptom tracking, etc.

If handled correctly, mobile applications have endless advantages for the people associated with the healthcare industry. Moreover, several prospects can help mold the future of Medicare.