How healthcare apps are transforming the patient experience

The hospital is very likely the last place that you want to be. For a long time, patient experiences have been for the most part negative and uncomfortable; especially when you have to contend with different doctors, scattered medical records, and others issues. It does not help that medical jargon remains for the large part incomprehensible to the lay man. These challenges have however inspired a new direction in mobile app development. Specifically, the rapid growth in technology and the widespread adoption of mobile technologies have fueled a rapid growth in health related mobile applications.

Let us explore some of the significant ways mobile technologies have changed the patient experience:

• Easier dissemination of information and transparency

Adequate access to information and resources is central to positive patient experience. Oftentimes, many people to seek alternative and often unreliable sources of information online when such information is not made available. Mobile apps have bridged this gap, allowing a patient to gain access to vital information instantaneously. One of the notable positives in patient experience is the ability to access healthcare information in the form of videos. These videos offer valuable demos and guidance to enhance the patient experience.

• Greater control over your own health

Mobile apps have been significantly beneficial to chronically sick patients, particularly in helping them to both keep track of their own health and easily connect with their doctors in case of any concerns. For example, a simple wellness apps allows you as a patient to set your own healthcare goals, and to keep track of your progress. This has a positive impact on the quality of care. It also makes it easier for healthcare professionals to intervene very early.

• Easier management of own data records and appointments

Mobile healthcare apps have also made it much easier for patients to manage their own data records and appointments. There are numerous such apps on both the Apple and Android platforms, including Apple’s Health App, CapzulePHP for Apple, and GenieMD for both Apple and Android devices. The ease in accessing and sharing your own health history is important in numerous instances, including when you are seeing your physical for the first time, during a referral to a specialist, when seeking treatment in an emergency room, upon visiting an on demand provider, and many more instances. In essence, mobile app development has facilitated effective management of personal health records.

• Effective operation preparation and after care

Medical apps are very important in preparing patients for surgery. For instance, these apps are significant in promoting better dialogue between the patients and their clinicians. This includes information on how patients can become fitter for surgery, including but not limited to avoiding smoking and adopting better eating habits. For instance, mobile apps allow clinicians to send alerts to their patients about possible means through which they can improve their outcomes such as deep breathing and engaging in physical exercises prior to surgery. Mobile apps have also been highlighted as critical for monitoring post-operative recovery for patients at home. This is critical in facilitating expeditious discharge of patients and promoting early detection of any complications which may arise.

• Providing reminders and notifications for medication

Medical reminder apps are critical in assisting patients to adhere to their medications in order to improve their health outcomes, enhance quality measures and reduce overall costs of health care. Most patients are endangered when their miss their medications which may result in a high rate of morbidity or even mortality. Mobile apps allow for setting reminders and alerts on your smartphone to ensure that you are on track on your medication. Furthermore, recent studies highlight that mobile apps are critical for improving adherence to medication. These include apps such as MyMeds Medication Management, Mango Health, MediSafe Meds and Pills Reminder, among others.

• Ability to view patient data

Mobile apps have made it easy to view data such as lab tests, doctor’s notes and more. This provides the much needed guidance for patients during their visits and after visits. Mobile devices and apps have been linked with numerous benefits including increased access to a wide variety of point of care tools, which has been linked with improved health outcomes and better clinical decision making.

It is evident that significant progress has been made in health related mobile app development. This has undoubtedly enhanced the patient experience and improved health outcomes for majority of people, especially the elderly. This has also revolutionized healthcare. Access, control and management of personal health records is a positive indication of improved innovation in health care driven on the back of rapid technological advances aimed at improving various spheres of life.