Smart phones in health Care

The use of smart phones in health care

Mobile phones are progressively prospected as handheld computers rather than as phones, owing to their computing capability, expansive memories, generously proportioned screens and open operating systems which encourage application development. Healthcares, smartphone applications (apps), include developing trends and market uptake. (Boulos, wheeler, Tavares & Jones, 2011)

 The platforms under which they are available include Android, Apple iOS, RIM BlackBerry, Symbian, and Windows (Windows Mobile 6.x and the emerging Windows Phone 7 platform).App recipients are laypersons or patients and healthcare professionals in different areas e.g., health, fitness and lifestyle, education and management; ambient assisted living ; continuing professional education tools; and  public health surveillance. Among these apps are those assisting in the management of chronic diseases, whether as standalone apps or part of a Body Area Network and remote server configuration? (Boulos, wheeler, Tavares &Jones, 2011)

 The latest development in Smartphone apps is the eCAALYX (Enhanced Complete Ambient Assisted Living Experiment, 2009-2012), which is an EU-funded project for older people with multiple chronic conditions. The eCAALYX Android Smartphone app receives input from a patient-wearable smart garment with wireless health sensors and the Global Positioning System .Then the smart phone sensor locates and   transmits it over the Internet with a remote server accessed by healthcare professionals who monitor and manage older patients with multiple chronic conditions. (Boulos, wheeler, Tava res & Jones, 2011)

 

Reference:

Boulos,.M.,K.,Wheeler,.S.,Tavares,.c.,& Jones,.R.(2011,April) How Smart are changing the face of mobile and Participatory health care: An overview with example from ecAALYX

doi: 10.11.86/1475-925X-10-24