Everything You Need to Know About mHealth Applications

• Posted on June 5, 2024
• |
• 11 minutes read

Introduction

In the last decade, the adoption of smartphones has become colossal. They have become a necessity in this fast-tech world. To capitalize on this worldwide adoption, global industries have started offering their services through mobile applications. One industry that has seen promising growth over the last decade has been healthcare. A huge chunk of this growth can be accredited to mobile healthcare applications, also called mhealth apps.

In today’s digitally-driven world, the advancement in healthcare is directly proportional to the rise of cutting-edge health technologies. They both intersect and pave the way for breakthrough innovations, with mobile health (mhealth) leading the charge. This convergence benefits both the patients and the medical professionals. While patients get convenience and easy access to medical care, professionals benefit themselves by reducing the effort of manual intervention and saving time and costs.

Understanding mHealth Apps and Its Market

mHealth applications seamlessly merge the power of modern technology with the imperative needs of healthcare delivery. mHealth apps provide solutions to improve the collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals through the use of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and wearables. By utilizing this ubiquitous presence of mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, these apps transcend the limitations of traditional healthcare models. It aims at making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and effective.

mhealth applications empower patients with access to vital resources, information, and even direct consultations with healthcare providers, all at their fingertips. It is worth understanding that mHealth doesn’t just cater to patient needs; it extends its reach to benefit healthcare professionals, offering tools for remote monitoring, diagnosis, and communication.

Thus, as the boundaries of healthcare continue to expand, mHealth emerges not just as a trend but as a transformative force, reshaping the way we perceive and engage with healthcare.

Talking about the increasing prevalence of mHealth applications, there are 350,000 mHealth applications hosted across different app stores, catering to diverse healthcare needs and preferences. Research from the Journal of Medical Internet Research indicates that 58% of smartphone users have downloaded at least one health-related app, underscoring the growing demand for digital health solutions.

The global mHealth market size was valued at USD 80.61 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach over USD 269.31 billion by 2032 with a registered CAGR of 12.3% during the forecast period 2023 to 2032. USA’s mHealth market size was valued at USD 18.98 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13% from 2023 to 2032.

Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the adoption and impact of mobile health applications. During the pandemic, the following are some of the ways how professionals provided medical care:

– Remote Monitoring and Management of COVID-19 Cases

– Health Tracking and Symptom Monitoring

– Remote Medication Management and Prescription Delivery

– Remote Consultations

In 2021, for instance, approximately 32% of patients consulted doctors with the use of the telemedicine app, which was about 7% in 2020. In the U.S. alone, telehealth utilization skyrocketed by 154% in 2020 compared to the previous year. Moreover, medication management apps witnessed a 55% increase in usage, reflecting a growing preference for contactless healthcare solutions. Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of mHealth applications in providing accessible, efficient, and personalized healthcare services in times of crisis. In the times ahead, mHealth apps are poised to play an increasingly central role in shaping the future of healthcare delivery and improving health outcomes for individuals and communities worldwide.

mHealth and eHealth: What is the Difference?

In digital healthcare, two terms often emerge in discussions: mHealth and eHealth. While they share the common goal of leveraging technology to build a more connected, data-driven, and patient-centric approach to healthcare delivery, there are a few distinct concepts and applications that make them different. 

mHealth (Mobile Health):

mHealth refers specifically to the utilization of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and wearable gadgets in delivering healthcare services and information remotely. This includes a wide array of applications ranging from health tracking and remote monitoring to telemedicine consultations and medication management. mHealth capitalizes on using mobile technology to empower patients with access to healthcare resources going beyond traditional barriers like geographical distance and limited infrastructure. mHealth is changing the way individuals engage with their health, placing control and convenience squarely in their hands.

eHealth (Electronic Health):

eHealth represents a broader concept that encompasses the use of electronic communication and information technology in healthcare delivery and management. While mHealth focuses specifically on mobile devices, eHealth includes a comprehensive spectrum of technologies, including electronic health records (EHRs), health information exchange (HIE) systems, telehealth platforms, and health information websites. eHealth initiatives aim to streamline healthcare processes, enhance interoperability between healthcare systems, and improve the overall quality, efficiency, and accessibility of healthcare services. eHealth lays the foundation for a more interconnected and data-driven healthcare ecosystem.

Key Differences:

As discussed, mHealth and eHealth share common objectives, but they differ primarily in scope and focus. mHealth revolves around the use of mobile devices for healthcare purposes, emphasizing mobility, convenience, and personalized engagement. In contrast, eHealth is a broader concept ranging around electronic health technologies and initiatives, spanning electronic health records, telemedicine, health information exchange, and other electronic health solutions aimed at transforming the entire healthcare continuum.

Benefits of mHealth Applications for Patients and Providers

mHealth apps are versatile, meaning they offer a myriad of functionalities tailored to meet diverse healthcare needs. The benefits of mHealth are manifold for both patients and providers. It empowers users to take control of their health journey with convenience and accessibility. From symptom tracking, optimizing treatment adherence, and medication reminders to personalized support, telemedicine consultations, and remote monitoring, mHealth apps enable better care outcomes for patients. On the other hand, it helps providers streamline administrative tasks, minimize logical barriers, enable more accessibility, and optimize costs.

In this section, let’s discuss a few of these benefits in some detail:

1. Reduced Risk of Misdiagnosis: 

When doctors or physicians handle patients’ records manually, there are high chances of diagnostic errors. In the US, more than 12 million people are affected by diagnostic errors every year. An estimated 40,000 to 80,000 people die annually from complications from these misdiagnoses. Since mHealth apps for patients keep track of all prescriptions, communications, and treatment options, the risk of diagnostic mistakes is also reduced. Healthcare service providers can both offer data-driven treatment to their patients and secure themselves from malpractice lawsuits.

2. Easier Access to Medical Reports: 

With a mHealth mobile app, patients don’t need to rush to hospitals to get their medical reports. Instead, they can get the report online, which can be accessed at any time. The users can then consult the doctor accordingly, without going through the trouble of forgetting the reports at home or misplacing them. 

3. Optimized Person-Hours: 

Long work hours among physicians are a worldwide issue in the healthcare arena. This causes excessive stress, negatively impacts the quality of care, and strains the resources of healthcare organizations. Mobile health technology acts as a one-stop solution and allows healthcare professionals to have all records in one place, monitor treatment procedures, and get in touch with patients without wasting their time.

4. Remote Patient Monitoring:

This is one of the major benefits of mobile health technology. The majority of people in faraway locations can now get timely care by scheduling video calls in the form of video consultations with healthcare professionals. Patients can minimize visits to clinics as doctors can monitor their patients through video or audio calls, thus saving time and removing logistic barriers. Along with this, with the rise of wearable devices and their integration with mHealth apps, real-time monitoring of vital signs and symptoms is possible. This allows patients to receive timely interventions, leading to more proactive and personalized care.

5. Real-Time Communication:

Real-time communication stands as a paramount benefit of mHealth applications, facilitating seamless interaction between patients and healthcare providers regardless of geographical locations or time constraints. With these apps, users can engage in immediate or scheduled consultations, receive prompt feedback on health queries, and even undergo virtual examinations, all from the comfort of their homes. This real-time connectivity fosters timely interventions, enhancing patient outcomes and satisfaction levels. During emergencies or urgent situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, real-time communication via mHealth apps proved indispensable in delivering critical healthcare services while minimizing physical contact. By leveraging real-time communication, mHealth apps not only bridge the gap between patients and providers but also promote proactive healthcare management.

6. Convenient Bill Payments:

In certain parts of the world and especially in the United States, dealing with medical bills is a complicated process for both patients and hospital staff. It is a time-consuming task to manually keep track of bill payments by patients and run after insurance companies for bill clearance. However, with mHealth apps, it is possible to reduce this lengthy procedure down to a few minutes. The patients can also select their preferred payment method, pay online, and connect to their insurer (if required) via apps. Moreover, while creating a mHealth app, you can customize the content to view only paid bills, unpaid bills, and so on. Therefore, the payment procedure becomes convenient for both ends with the help of mobile health systems.

Exploring Different Types of mHealth Applications

In the ever-evolving landscape of mHealth apps, innovation knows no bounds. As healthtech app development experts, we pride ourselves on staying at the forefront of industry trends, harnessing cutting-edge technologies to create intuitive, user-centric solutions that redefine the healthcare experience.

Let’s dive into the different types of mHealth Applications:

1. Telemedicine Applications:

Telemedicine applications facilitate remote consultations between patients and healthcare providers, enabling access to medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment from any location. These apps typically offer features such as secure video calls, chat messaging, appointment scheduling, and electronic prescriptions, enhancing convenience and accessibility to healthcare services.

2. Chronic Disease Management Applications:

Chronic disease management applications provide tools and resources for individuals with long-term health conditions to monitor their symptoms, track medications, and manage their overall health. These apps aim to empower patients with self-care strategies, lifestyle modifications, and medication adherence support, helping to improve health outcomes and quality of life.

3. Medication Management Applications:

Medication management applications help users organize and track their medications, dosage schedules, and prescription refills. These apps often include features such as medication reminders, pill identification, medication lists, and adherence tracking, reducing the risk of medication errors and improving medication adherence rates.

4. Remote Monitoring Applications:

Remote monitoring applications enable healthcare providers to remotely monitor patients’ health data, such as vital signs, blood glucose levels, heart rate, and activity levels, in real time. These apps facilitate early detection of health issues, timely interventions, and personalized treatment adjustments, particularly for individuals with chronic conditions or post-operative care needs.

5. Clinical and Diagnostics Apps:

Clinical and diagnostics apps provide tools for healthcare professionals to perform various clinical tasks, such as medical imaging analysis, diagnostic testing, and decision support. These apps may include features such as electronic health record (EHR) access, medical reference databases, diagnostic algorithms, and point-of-care testing tools, enhancing clinical decision-making and workflow efficiency.

6. Fitness and Wellness Apps:

Fitness and wellness apps offer tools and resources for individuals to monitor and improve their physical fitness, nutrition, and overall well-being. These apps may include features such as activity tracking, workout routines, calorie counting, meal planning, sleep tracking, and stress management techniques, promoting healthier lifestyle choices and behavior change.

7. Mental Health Apps:

Mental health apps provide support and resources for individuals to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. These apps may offer features such as mindfulness meditation exercises, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, mood tracking, journaling, and access to mental health professionals for counseling or therapy sessions, promoting emotional well-being and resilience.

The Future of mHealth Applications in Healthcare

The future of mHealth applications in healthcare promises to redefine medical practice, ushering in better connectivity, personalization, and innovation. As technology continues to evolve in the healthcare space, mHealth applications stand poised at the nexus of transformation, poised to advance and improve the delivery of healthcare services across the globe.

AI, ML, and Big Data Analytics

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and big data analytics within mHealth platforms is expected to empower healthcare providers with insights into patient health trends, predictive analytics for early disease detection, and personalized treatment recommendations tailored to individual needs. By harnessing the vast reservoir of data generated by mHealth apps – including patient health records, biometric data, genomic information, and real-time sensor readings – healthcare professionals can unlock the full potential of precision medicine, enabling proactive and preventive healthcare interventions.

IoT-based Healthcare Systems

The future of mHealth applications extends far beyond traditional clinical settings and transcends geographical boundaries to reach underserved populations in remote areas. Through the proliferation of wearable devices, remote monitoring sensors, and IoT-enabled healthcare ecosystems, mHealth apps will empower individuals to take charge of their health in ways previously not known. These applications will make the way for mass accessibility and democratizing access to quality healthcare, bridging the gap between patients and providers irrespective of physical distance.

AR, VR, and Blockchain

Emerging technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and blockchain characterize the future landscape of mHealth. VR-enabled simulations inside these applications have the potential to accelerate medical education and training, offering immersive learning experiences for healthcare professionals and students alike. AR applications will allow patients to interactive visualizations of complex medical procedures, enhancing their understanding and engagement in treatment decisions. Meanwhile, blockchain technology embedded in these mHealth applications ensures the security, integrity, and interoperability of health data, fostering a collaborative ecosystem of healthcare innovation.

To know what lies ahead in the next-gen healthcare, read our blog on Digital Health Trends of 2024

FAQs

In Summary – The Power of mHealth and the Future of Healthcare

As we look to the future, mHealth is destined to drive positive change in healthcare. By embracing innovation, collaboration, and user-centricity, healthcare professionals can help unlock new possibilities for improving patient outcomes and shaping a healthier world for the next generations.