Healthcare apps: Prescription of success for mobile app developers

Mobile applications are turning out to be a great source of user empowerment. The smartphone apps have engulfed every sphere in personal and professional life and are ever-expanding their role and significance by catering to the varied needs of the users. The app phenomenon has significantly impacted enterprises, big and small, and across all verticals. Healthcare is one such industry where smartphone applications are quietly empowering various stakeholders and aiding and enabling them to make healthcare more accessible, affordable and efficient. The resultant hype around rapid adoption of mobility in industry has attracted many mobile app developers who are developing and marketing a range of mobile health applications catering to the various needs in the industry. However, the question to be asked is: Will healthcare adopt mobile apps in a big way? Should healthcare become the new focus area of mobile app developers? We believe it so. Here’s why we believe that healthcare is something for mobile application developers to be upbeat about:

Patients are slowly lapping-up mHealth…

A study by PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health Research Institute, “Healthcare Unwired,” Sep 8, 2010 to study the attitude of US internet users towards online/mobile health options revealed that users showed a strong liking for patient care via mobile. There was a strong feeling among respondents with regard to the role of mobile healthcare applicationsand mobility based services.

Moreover, a Consumer Health Information Corporation (CHIC) survey, conducted in April, 2011 to understand the US consumer’s attitude towards mobile healthcare applications found that-

• 79.9% would be more likely to use an app that can analyze information input by the consumer and give feedback.
• 42.2% are likely to use an app to find information about drugs.
• 26.5% are likely to use an app to find information about disease states.
• 39.8% are willing to use an app several times a day.
• 33.4% prefer free health apps.
• 30.9% are willing to pay $1.00-$5.99 for health apps.

Physicians are bullish on mobile health…

It’s not only consumers who are willing to use mobile health apps but doctors too are eager to leverage mobile technology into their day-to-day tasks. A survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health Research Institute (PwC HRI) came up with interesting statistics evidencing how clinicians perceive mobile healthcare solutions to be a boon for them. As per the study,

• 56% of physicians believed m-health could help expedite decision-making.
• 39% said it would reduce the time it takes for administrative tasks.
• 36% said it would increase collaboration among physicians.
• 26% said it would increase time spent with patients.
• 40% said they could eliminate 11% to 30% of office visits through the use of mobile health technologies such as remote monitoring, email or text messaging with patients.

The Market is gearing for it…

A survey by research2guidance released in 2010 predicts that smartphones, mobile phones and Tablets will offer the best Mobile Health Business Opportunities in 2015. Thereby revealing that mobile healthcare solutions is the way to go in healthcare industry.

One of the key stakeholders in the industry, the healthcare manufacturers are also banking big on mobile applications. A survey by Vital mHealth and Trinsic Interactive revealed that manufacturers in US and Europe see a bigger role for mobile applications and therefore a majority of them are already using or are planning big to use mobile channel to reach out to their consumers.

Mobile apps have the potential to play a significant role in every stage of the healthcare. These applications can not only bridge the gap between the doctor and patient but can also radically transform the way diseases are diagnosed, treated and monitored. Moreover, the 24X7 accessibility and availability of health & wellness information and expert advice can be a key factor in the prevention of diseases and promoting wellness.

With the advancement in the mobile technology, the scope and role of mobile healthcare applications will only grow. As mobile phones become more feature-packed and add better functionalities, it will widen the coverage of smartphone applications in the industry. The growing adaptation of mHealth or mobile healthcare solutions is and will offer myriad opportunities in future for mobile app developers to develop applications for various smartphone platforms and tap the expanding market.  Are you read to seize it?