The quick pace of mobile technology, coupled with a broad worldwide penetration of smartphones, has effectively transformed Healthcare into a new entity called mHealth.  

In 2012, the number of medical application users will reach 247 million, which is more than double the 124 million users who downloaded medical applications in 2011.

Global revenue from mHealth apps grew from 140 million in 2010 to 1.3 billion in 2012, and continues to progress on an upward curve.

Why is mHealth so commercially successful, and what factors contribute to this economic success story?

Medication schedule management

Cancer treatment is a very complex and painful process demanding the highest level of accuracy from both physician and patient. And it is also an area where mobile technology can assist with treatment. Regular smartphones can be converted into effective medication schedule managers. This involves a straightforward process; simply select your cancer type and treatment plan, point to a start date, and make sure your device is in close proximity in order to see/hear reminders and notifications. Either patient or caregiver may add additional days and times for further dosage if required.

Tracking symptoms history

The tracking symptoms log included in the application is very important with regard to cancer treatment. Symptoms such as nausea, pain, fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, and any others that a user may wish to track, can be logged and showed to a doctor during a meeting or sent via e-mail.

Tracking blood count

Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, may damage not only cancerous cells but also normal body cells including blood cells.

Reach the doctor easier

The modules described above not only enable a user to cope with cancer treatment, but also to prepare valuable information for an appointment with a doctor. To make appointments more effective and informative, users can type or voice record their questions beforehand. During the meeting, users have the option to type or voice record a doctor’s answers as well. When the FAQ database is available, users can browse it through a mobile device to see available answers and adjust their questions appropriately.

Receive up-to-date information

Cancer is one of the most researched medical conditions in the world, and those who have contracted it often desire to be kept informed about the most up-to-date information and cure recommendations.

Stay connected with community

It’s easier to cope with a problem when you know that you are not alone. Access to a community, the ability to ask questions, the opportunity to read success stories, and to be able to participate in a community information exchange is extremely important in a cancer sufferer’s battle to stay positive. Thus, this module is a very valuable addition to a companion app for people struggling with any serious long-term disease.

SOURCE : http://migrate2mobile.com/blog/2013/08/29/mhealth-building-a-mobile-companion-app-for-cancer-sufferers/

See on migrate2mobile.com