An interesting article in Technology for Doctors explores the question of Apps as prescribed treatment options for patients who have specific clinical conditions such as Diabetes or Depression. Canada Health Infoway has been funding a number of projects through the ImagineNation Outcomes Challenge, including a smart phone Apps challenge focusing on consumer health apps.
Similarly, the Office of the National Coordinator (in the U.S.) recently announced the Million Hearts Risk Check Challenge. The objective is “to inform millions of Americans who may be unaware they are at significant risk for CVD, encourage those who think they may be at risk to take action, and direct both to community pharmacies to receive blood pressure and cholesterol screenings”. Top prize is $100,000 for the winning App and up to five additional prizes of $5,000 each.
This support and interest in mobile Apps recognizes the high penetration and use of mobile phones as the primary access point to health information for many patients who may be suffering from any number of clinical conditions.
In a prior post, How Mobile Apps Are Changing Healthcare, I explored some of the opportunities for care that mobile apps are facilitating and the motivation in using the Apps.
The buzz of activity around mobile apps is unlikely to decrease anytime soon, so if you have a good idea and would like to make a difference, participate in the growing number of mobile App challenges.
In addition, if you are a clinician, EMR vendor, or someone with an idea for a mobile app, you are invited to submit a guest editorial to CanadianEMR for review and publication in the CanadianEMR blog and CanadianEMR eNewsletter (pending approval). Submit your ideas or articles to info@canadianemr.ca.
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