The use of mobile phones in solving health problems is here with us now. mHealth which is similar to eHealth refers to the use of mobile phone technology and other information and communication devices to solve health issues. There are many applications of mHealth some of which have been clearly applied and documented. If you got kidney stones, there's an application for that and for just about every other clinical and administrative function. As mobile applications reshape health care, hospitals will have to change to accommodate these technological improvements.
The first thing that patients can do in the reduction of their risk of kidney stones is by drinking more fluid. But obviously people don't drink as much as they think they do, so how do you keep track? According to Johnston, a practicing urologist, the answer is a mobile application he developed for the iPhone. Since going live on the Apple Store in June 2010, the free program has been downloaded more than 2,500 times. Every time a patient is taking a soda or coffee or a glass of water, he opens the application, taps a picture of the beverage and thereby entering the amount. The application automatically tracks the quantity and displaying it as a percentage of the daily target which is typically set at 75 ounces. It also charts fluid intake for the last week and month. It can even e-mail the information right to a physician.
APPLICATION
According to Johnston, patients are mobile, and therefore this makes it easier to keep accurate records and get them to the physician. Currently, clinic staff are transferring data manually from the application to North Shore's sophisticated electronic medical record. But things may change soon as Johnston is working on systems that will enable mobile applications to populate patient health records directly.
This mHealth mobile application however brings about very important questions and assumptions. For example;
• Does the application really help patients drink more fluids?
• Does this application reduce kidney stones?
Johnston says that by their clinical observation the application does help the patients drink more fluid and therefore reduce the risk of contracting or developing kidney stones. When they start using the application, most patients find that they are not anywhere close to the goal. If you check at it in the afternoon and you are at 25 percent, it makes you want to take some water. He uses it himself so does he confirm. Meanwhile, he is planning a clinical trial to measure the impact of the application on patient behavior and outcomes.
Johnston is also developing an application to help patients with enlarged prostates monitor urine flow. Johnston's applications are clear practical uses of mobile technology in solving health issues. mHealth is therefore here with us and efforts are being put to reap as many health benefits as the technology will allow.
Application of mHealth APPLICATION
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