In a new study issued by Manhattan Research and reported in Clinical Innovation and Technology, doctors are supportive of patients using health apps and self-tracking programs to record and share health data.
Director of research at Manhattan Research, James Avalone explained that Self-tracking is already a part of the care paradigm, and its prevalence is going to accelerate rapidly as digital connection, payment reform and outcome-focused delivery make advances” (Manhattan Research release, 4/11)
This survey conducted online asked nearly three thousand doctors in 25 different specialties. (Pedulli, Clinical Innovation & Technology, 4/11).Though patients do not provide collected data from advanced technology with their healthcare providers and physicians, the data collection is quite prevalent. Seventy percent of the doctors claimed that information was being passed along to them but was done through either a health information printout or with hand-written charting. Three quarters of the doctors felt that self-tracking by patients will create improved health outcomes.
Certainly, patients are not without the technology availability. Currently there are more than 2000 health apps ranging from counting the number of daily calories to counting the number of steps one takes in a day (as in a pedometer) while measuring the heart rate and respiratory rate.
One of the latest apps also allows for a cardiac monitor tracing.
Since more than 90% of the world has smart phone usage available, it is only a natural progression that their health records and data collection become mobile.
Have you downloaded and used any health apps yet? Share your experience in the comment box below.
