Imagine how your life would be today if mobile phones were not invented. Feels so strange, doesn’t it? All the information we need in our lives is stored in our phones. From booking cabs to ordering food to online shopping, smartphones have made our lives a lot easier.
Today, technology has gifted us a wide variety of health applications readily available in the app store. So, what are health applications? How useful are they? Can they really solve all or at least the majority of our health-related issues? Let’s have a look.
These mobile health (mHealth) applications help in tracking and monitoring one’s health by using mobile and other wireless technology. It can be used in mobile phones, tablets, laptops and computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and wearables such as smart watches. mHealth surely has a high potential for growth in today’s world but also has its imperfections.
PROS
Fewer visits to medical centers
Don’t we want the doctor to visit us when we are sick and not wait for long hours in the clinic? It saves so much time! We also save ourselves from contracting diseases! mHealth brings the clinic to our homes, that too any time, all the time. We get access to consultation with reputed doctors, online prescriptions and so much more, all by a single click! That does sound like a dream come true, doesn’t it?
Buy medicines while sitting on your couch
Isn’t it so annoying when you are in desperate need of medicine but your nearest medical store has run out of stock? mHealth and telemedicine apps provide you with every medicine you need right at your doorstep. Seems legit, right?
Access to health devices
Getting reliable medical kits and health devices in the market in such a tough job! There are so many options around us that we are unable to choose the best. mHealth applications give you the scope to search for the best and also provide a lot of support with the tip of a finger. You can search for the medical devices you need and check the authenticity of the device by researching!
Convenience
According to a research 45% of people around the world use smartphones today. Having a smartphone and other electronic devices make it so convenient for people to get access to instant healthcare websites when they are in real need.
Education
How many times have we wondered what the unfamiliar medical terms actually meant? When we get our medical reports, we can’t understand what the report says until we show it to our doctor. mHealth provides the solution to this problem. A lot of mHealth apps and websites provide us with education and knowledge about medical terms and medicines.
Easily maintain your health record
We are so busy in our lives in the modern-day that we forget taking important medicines, or forget making an appointment with the doctor! That is so scary! With the connection of mobile technology with the healthcare industry, forgetting such vital things is in the past! We can keep a track record of our prescriptions, medical reports, diets, exercises and much more. No need to maintain a diary anymore!
CONS
Security risks
Some of the mHealth apps are not really secure. They contain data privacy issues. Research has found that some apps do expose the personal information of users like phone numbers, email addresses, date of birth, and medical information. In most of the cases, free apps pose higher risks than paid apps.
Can’t be accessed by everyone
In underdeveloped and developing countries, lack of infrastructure and non-availability of proper technology is still a major concern. In countries where the literacy level is low, these modern healthcare technologies are not available to each and every citizen. In these countries, the market may not be very friendly for mHealth.
No physical checkup
Though online healthcare provides very accurate information; sometimes it may fail if the patient can’t properly describe his/her health problems. Doctors rely on the information given by patients so error-free description by the patient is very vital in this regard.
Identifying the correct application requires research
With so many healthcare websites available all over the Internet; it becomes difficult for the potential user to correctly determine which website is the most useful for him/her. This in turn requires a lot of research and trials.
“One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist…” – this well-known quote of Stephen Hawking is so applicable. A little bit of research can go a long way while you use mobile health technology! It has the potential to reduce its shortcomings and have a high growth rate in the market and also help the common people receive the basic needs of health.
Contact us in case you need any assistance related to your healthcare or wellness needs and we would be glad to guide you to a wonderful universe of telehealth and tele-wellness.
Stay home, Stay Safe!!
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