Electronic Health Reporter

Given the spirit of #mHealth13, I thought the following infographic was appropriate: mHealth stas: mobile apps, devices and solutions. Created by xcube labs, a mobile apps developer, it details the current use of mobile apps in healthcare by patients. Since mobile health, #mHealth, is now more than a $1.3 billion industry and it’s expected to grow to more than $20 billion by 2018, according to mhealthshare.

Not surprising, the use of smartphones is the most prominent device of physicians in the care setting, and an estimated 62 percent of physicians using tablets. Likewise, 72 percent of nurses and other caregivers are using smartphones in the care setting.

From a patient perspective, almost every person in the US – 247 million – have downloaded a healthcare app for their personal use, and there are more than 40,000 apps available for use by patients.

The sector is clearly burgeoning. For example, Becker’s Hospital Review recently reported that the vast majority of clinicians use mobile devices in their day-to-day practice. About four in five clinicians currently use smartphones every day, a rate which will increase to nine in the 10 next years.

Additionally, more than half of physicians use tablets daily. “Half of clinicians are ‘digital omnivores’ who routinely use a smartphone, tablet and computer currently, and 82 percent plan to within the next 12 months. Tablet and smartphone usage accounts for more than 40 percent of clinicians’ at-work digital time.”

Top uses for smartphones are using generic search functions (46 percent), accessing professional resources (38 percent) and communicating with colleagues (38 percent).

Top uses for tablets among clinicians are editing or viewing electronic health records or e-prescribing (49 percent), using generic search functions (39 percent) and accessing a professional resource (24 percent).

Likewise, the magazine also reported recently that by 2016, a majority of consumers expect mHealth to significantly change their healthcare experience:

For example:

• 59 percent said mHealth will change how information on health issues is found
• 51 percent said mHealth will change how providers or services send general healthcare information
• 49 percent said mHealth will change their overall health management
• 48 percent said mHealth would change how they manage chronic conditions
• 48 percent said mHealth would change how they communicate with providers
• 52 percent said mHealth would make healthcare more convenient
• 48 percent said mHealth will improve healthcare quality
• 46 percent said mHealth will substantially reduce healthcare costs

Not to re-report some previously reported stats, but this offers me at least a little perspective about what has been, what is and what might happen next  in the space. At this point I don’t think this is an issue of sustainability so much as it is what will all of this mean from this point forward?

I’d love to know your thoughts below.