Mobile health technology

 

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Introduction

Mobile health technology has recently become popular in the medical and health field as a whole. The digital strategy serves to promote a smooth, reliable and quick exchange of health information both locally and globally. The is commonly associated with the use of mobile communication technology devices such as technology mobile phones, computers, communication satellites, patient monitors among and the mobile clinics. The technology is commonly referred to as m-health. Initially, the technology was associated with industrialized nations with adequate resources for funding (Kai and Ahmed, 2013). The governmental and non-governmental aids have also helped the developing countries to adopt the same. Healthcare facilities report general positive improvement in information and service delivery. The paper will address the topic in details, the rationale for the choice, and the positive and negative impact of the topic on practice. It will further information skills, knowledge used in the technology and the relevance in developing the initiative.

The present world is increasingly turning into a global village with the use of mobile technology growing exponentially. One factor that makes the mode of technology so significant is its ubiquity. The ubiquity refers to the ability to be found in most of the places making it more popular. The use of smartphones among youths and people of different age brackets all over the world also makes the technology easily accessible. The concept provides quick information just a step away, especially with the emerging Google app. The youths majorly sped most of their time at the internet, and this offers an opportunity to monitor their health. The digitally empower patients to find it easier to seek for clarification on certain health issues that currently affect the whole world. The information provides promising solutions to these patients who are in dying need of empowerment and knowledge on various health issues (Sonali et al, 2016).

The chief rationale for the topic is the emerging technology in both developing and developed countries. Health agencies and other health organization report that there has been a gross improvement in the health sector as a result especially in facilities and areas that have adopted the technique.one of the greatest challenges that most developing countries face are the reduced accessibility of the healthcare service. The mobile health strategy has reduced the strain and ensured that the people access timely services which are vital for health (Hill et al., 2013). The strategy involves the use of clinical health data that enhance delivery of health information about the clients. Researchers, practitioners, nurses and other health care providers use the mechanic in carrying out certain procedures in the clinical settings. Most institutions have adopted the concept of telemedicine that is important in the provision of direct care and monitoring of patient status such as the vital signs. The rapid rise in the penetration of mobile network in the low-income nations has boosted the initiative over the past years. The operational criterion is to improve the accessibility and quality of health services all over the world.

Impact of mobile health in health practice

It is without a doubt that mobile health has resulted into a real significance in the health practice. Despite the few challenges that are facing the initiative; it is without a doubt that most countries have benefited from the increased accessibility of health. The available follow-up appointments, recommended physician diet, adherence to medication schedules are among the benefits of the app.

Advantages

The strategy has improved the quality of care tremendously such as the reducing the congestion at the hospital. Telehealth systems and mobile health industry have a positive impact in improving coordination of care among specialists, and emergency health visits that serve to improve communication and information delivery. Studies show that there the readmission rates have been reduced by a greater percentage. This is attributed to the availability of mobile clinics that reach no remote places that offer the required services to the patients at their convenience. Mobile technology has helped in reducing the cost of healthcare (Anatory and Manase, 2014). The cost of seeing a healthcare provider is reduced, and patients no longer spend a lot of time and energy to come technically at the hospital. The strategy has also enhanced independence among patients as they can keep check of their health. Numerous mobile apps and devices assist in providing evidenced based information to the clients on a daily basis.

Disadvantages

Despite the positive impact of the technology on health, some few negative issues are observable. Privacy is a matter of concerns some; clients’ reports fear that other parties can access the information which may later affect their social life. Health institutions admit security concerns especially with the information on the internet. Generally, confidentiality and security remain the major concern of the method of technology.

Application of the mobile health in health practice

Mobile health plays a vital role in information distribution and creation of awareness at the health settings and home settings. Installation of helplines at the hospital helps in managing emergencies usually common (Kai and Ahmed, 2013). The technology has also come up with mobile clinics that can easily reach the clients to attend to them at the time of need. These have enhanced flexibility in care provision in health practice. In most developed countries clients are given the contacts of emergency helplines so that the family or relatives can call when in urgent need of clinical intervention. Research indicates that the strategy is live saving especially among patient with cardiovascular and neurological disorders prone to exacerbation. The mobile data has also been used in remote data collection and monitoring (Hill et al., 2013).

The commonly used app is the satellites phones that can work in remote areas with very poor network systems. This enhances online services such as service complaints, phone consultation, professional counseling and up to date information on drugs and healthy living. Patients can send photographs of a wound to a physician who can give instructions on management.

The use of mobile clinics serves to attend to emergency cases such as accidents. Its role in the relay of information has served a noticeable role in the success of the technology. Most hospitals currency applies the app on the point of care diagnosis (Free et al., 2013). The technique involves the use of portable equipment that enables procedures to be done at the bed site. The procedures include laboratory test that usually serves to identify the client's condition. The point care diagnosis is cost effective, reliable since the specimen is used immediately, quickly in results provision.

Relevance of the information skills on mobile technology

Mobile technology closely relates to information skills and general principles of health informatics. The whole technology revolves around information delivery to the clients that why in many cases illiteracy of the clients makes it less effective. The health sector is therefore charged with the responsibility of reaching individuals at all levels. The open campaigns will help promote knowledge on information skills which is critical (Anatory and Manase, 2014). Health bodies and other agencies can fund projects to reach people and educate on the skills. Such initiatives will enable the people to develop the required competence to deal with the illiteracy issues. Initiation of programs such as health informatics in the medical curriculum can further boost the success of the technology. Provision of funds to emergency units such as the Red Cross and the flying doctors will be appropriate.

Conclusion

Mobile health technology has recently become popular in the medical and health field as a whole. The digital strategy serves to promote a smooth, reliable and quick exchange of health information both locally and globally. This enhances online services such as service complaints, phone consultation, professional counseling and up to date information on drugs and healthy living. Despite the few challenges that are facing the initiative; it is without a doubt that most countries have benefited from the increased accessibility of health. The knowledge on health informatics will make the technology much efficient.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Anatory, J., & Manase, E. S. (2014). Network Effects and QoS as Determining Factors in Selection of Mobile Operator: A Case Study from Higher Learning Institution in Dodoma Municipality in Tanzania. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering, 8(10), 3388-3394.

Free, C., Phillips, G., Watson, L., Galli, L., Felix, L., Edwards, P., ... & Haines, A. (2013). The effectiveness of mobile-health technologies to improve health care service delivery processes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Med, 10(1), e1001363.

Hill, C. F., Powers, B. W., Jain, S. H., Bennet, J., Vavasis, A., & Oriol, N. E. (2014). Mobile health clinics in the era of reform. The American journal of managed care, 20(3), 261-264.

Kai, E., & Ahmed, A. (2013, March). Technical challenges in providing remote health consultancy services for the unreached community. In Advanced Information Networking and Applications Workshops (WAINA), 2013 27th International Conference on (pp. 1016-1020). IEEE.

Sonali, N., Kirti, K., Vrushali, M., Anushka, S., & Prapti, S. (2016). IMAGE PROCESSING AND CLASSIFICATION TECHNIQUES IN HEALTHCARE APPLICATIONS. International Education and Research Journal, 2(2).

 

 

 

 

Attachments:

• 1505897116-Moblile technology.doc
• 1505897145-NR512_W6_HealthIT_Topic_PPT_Presentation__Guidelines_and_Rubric_9_15_2016FINAL_REV_11_30 1.docx
• 1505897153-NR512_W6_HealthIT_Topic_PPT_Presentation__Guidelines_and_Rubric_9_15_2016FINAL_REV_11_30 1.docx