Both consumers and healthcare providers are are taking to using smartphones for healthcare according to a report by by Jane Sarasohn-Kahn with the California Healthcare Foundation. Adoption is swift: two-thirds of physicians and 42% of the public used smartphones as of late 2009. And application development is also on the rise. As of February 2010, there were nearly 6,000 apps available in the Apple AppStore. Of these, 73% were intended for use by consumer or patient end-users, while 27% were targeted to health care professionals.
For consumers the apps included those for:
- medication compliance
- mobile and home monitoring
- home care
- managing conditions
- and wellness/fitness
For healthcare professionals:
- alerts
- medical reference tools
- diagnostic tools
- continuing medical education
- patient records programs
Privays issues continue to be a concern for the consumer and a viable busines model for the developer.
An elder aging in place can benefits from a smart digital home. An elder, can also be assited by the use of smart phones. Simple texts that can announce, and flash a light, Thats just one of the many ways that My Virtual Companion TM can communicate reminders. Stove tops & bath overflow sensors can alert with a text & email & will be logged on a Twitter page for your Circle of Care TM. (Care givers, family, friends & neighbors) Is it the health benefits like reminders & re-reminders in your elder’s home, for missed medicines or checking their B.P. Or is it the reassurance that if, there is no motion in the elders home, your Circle of Care will be automatically alerted.The smart phone is great but a smart home can save a life. And there is an App to control My Virtual Companion contact me and add this to your elders home.
Alan Kutner CET, System Integrator
Seattle, http://www.MyVirtualCompanion.com.