Mobile Health Applications
A review of medical research pertaining the issues of the use mobile health applications in clinics with regards patient satisfaction shows little research in the past. However, things have dramatically changed recently. There has been a dramatic increase in literature devoted to the issue (Coronato, 2010, p.53). Due to the advancement and use of ICT tools patient have become more educated and have instant access to medical information. It has helped patient evaluate if they have received the appropriate treatment and medicine during their stay in hospitals therefore, providing health professionals with valuable feedback (Abramowicz, 2013, p.232) and (Bos & Laxminarayan, 2009, p.43).This paper evaluates the use of mobile systems with regard patient satisfaction, its impact of education level on the gain mobile health systems can offer patients, the reaction of health professionals on such systems, changes brought about by implementing mobile information systems in the health care process and lastly trade-offs and improvements that can be made.
Patient satisfaction is not only a product of the patient’s demographics and the physician’s expertise. The information that the patient has concerning his or her condition affects patient satisfaction (Hoyt, 2012, p.134). One the other hand, the use of mobile health systems plays a crucial role in bridging the “digital divide”. Specifically, less educated people have reduced access to the Internet therefore, cannot evaluate the medication, health related services and treatments that they receive (Glenn et al, 2013, p.210). Whereas, educated patients have better capabilities therefore can perform better without the need of mobile health systems (Istepanian, 2012, p.44).
Even though, such mobile health systems offer valuable feedback to health professionals, it is likely that physicians resist accepting such systems (Verghese, 2011, p. 129). There are two major barriers that physicians’ feel could potential loom with the deployment of mobile health systems. The amounts of incoming data from patients could potential increase making diagnosis difficult. In addition, doctors see personal liability risk is associating themselves with such systems and recommending them especially, when not developed by a health profession (Verghese, 2011, p.290). The growth and increase of mobile information systems has changed the health care process in hospitals. It has heralded the age where physicians’ and patients can access information, resources and people at the right time and place (Istepanian, 2012, p.218) and (Olla, 2009, p.203). Particularly, mobile health systems have a profound impact on patient and doctor interaction. It deployment has resulted in contacts becoming less common and exchanges between patients and doctors increasingly be mediated through electronic devices (Olla, 2009, p.69). In highly developed countries the support of health care delivery systems are through a wide array of technologies that reduce patient and doctor contact. The type of hospital makes a difference in its use (Menachemi, 2012, p.54). For instance, a psychiatry requires the treatment plans modelled in accordance to the needs of the patient and each treatment plan is unique (Anthony, 2010, p.54).Therefore, the mobile health information systems designs depend on the requirements and type of hospital.
It is evident that they are trade-off made by the deployment of mobile information systems. The greatest benefit is in-terms of its decision-making capabilities. In addition, the extent to which mobile information systems improves patient outcome and workflow efficiencies due to its mobility (Olla, 2009, p.294). However, its deployment increases incoming data leading to information paralysis, personal liability risk to health professionals associating themselves with such systems and recommending them especially, when not developed by a health profession (Anthony, 2010, p.239). Lastly, such systems have an impact on patient and doctor interaction resulting in contact becoming less common and exchanges between them.
References
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