Today’s fast-paced environment requires virtually instant gratification in the search for information. An estimated 80 percent of patients today research their health condition on the Internet either before or after seeing their health care provider. Mobile health applications are on the rise, with many clinicians and allied health workers already adopting smart phones successfully in a diverse range of practices. Patients too are accessing health information, actively participating in their own care, and maintaining contact with their health care providers through smart phones.
The Internet and our cell phones will be a central part of our care support system, providing answers to our questions, storing our personal health records, helping us to connect with others who share the same problems, and linking us to our healthcare providers. Most of us will reorder our medications, get our laboratory test results, make appointments, and consult with our doctors either online or by phone.
A few fast facts about apps for your phone: There are over 350,000 “apps” – applications for the iPhone alone. In 2010, over 295 million smart phones were sold around the world, and over 7 billion applications were downloaded to the devices. 72 percent of physicians own a smart phone, and 95 percent of them reported using their mobile device to download medical reference data and patient-related information. These are some astonishing figures that show the impact that smart phones are having in the medical field.
Now I just want to discuss a few apps that I have found that I think would be extremely beneficial for someone in the medical/dental field like myself. Keep in mind that these apps are geared toward many types of individuals. For example: there are some geared toward dentist, dental hygienist and/or the patients. A few of my favorites are as followed.
DentiApp and DDS GP. These particular apps are geared toward dentist or the owners of a private practice. Apps like these two all for patients to request an appointment with their smart phone, take a birtual tour of the office and facility, gives directions and maps to the office, and has patient education tools such as chair side presentations and treatment plans.
LexiComp and ADA MBDHE Exam Prep. These two apps are geared toward dental hygienist. LexiComp is a drug reference source at your finger tips, including: charts, images and tables for clarification. ADA MBDHE Exam Prep is an app that contains simulated board exam questions with detailed explanatory answers that covers all topics that are on the dental hygienist board exam.
MyQuit Coach and Toothbrush Timer. These apps are designed for the patients. MyQuit Coach is an app that helps people quit smoking by motivational tips, progress charts, and helps you set obtainable goals according to individualized needs. The toothbrush timer is a great app for any age. This timer tells when and where to brush your teeth with dentist recommend tips. It also has a tooth brush tracker alerting you when you need to get a new tooth brush.
As one can see with all of these apps that the medical field is going mobile, whether we like it or not. I think it is going to be a long process of change, but defiantly for the better. Patients will be able to receive top of the line, precise and speedy health care.
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I have the WebMD app on my phone. While I don't try to self diagnose by any means, once I know what the issue is - I research, research, research. This way I can actively participate in my treatment. It also helps if you have further medical issues because you can describe exactly what happened and exactly what treatment was prescribed. I am also able to access my claims via an app from my healthcare provider which is very helpful also. It is the wave of the future.
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