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Subject Code and Title

HDW204: Healthcare in the Digital World

Assessment Report

Patient-facing technology platform

Revolutionizing Patient Care: A Critical Analysis of Mobile Health Applications

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Revolutionizing Patient Care: A Critical Analysis of Mobile Health Applications

Introduction:

Advanced patient-facing digital platforms have revolutionized the healthcare system of

our times around the globe, by delivering limitless convenience especially in keeping up with
their health records to the patient. Among them all, mobile health applications have been the
most embraced due to their fluid nature that helps people to get closer to their dream of health
freedom. Hence, the smart applications, which may be downloaded on mobile phones and smart
watch, contain many functions, from tracking the movements to disease management and
utilizing tele health care. The extensions of their applications from a reality to an actuality go
hand in hand with their ability to change the way in which healthcare is delivered by promoting
patients' involvement, the development of self-reliance, and the bridging of gaps existing in the
traditional healthcare approach.

However, the hand m Mobile health devices have not only provided the hope but also
posed threats and challenges such as safety of user’s safety, equity issues, and government
regulations. The technological revolution that is transforming healthcare brought up increasing
needs for critical assessments of the technology in order to reveal the impact of new technologies
on patient care, doctor-patient relationships, and the overall healthcare services. Through
analysis of the opportunities and limitations that exist in mobile health applications today, it is
likely that we will understand how these devices that make use of mobile technology are
reshaping current healthcare and working towards services that put more patients in voluntary
decision making and at the center of healthcare services, which will be quite flexible to the
choice of patients.

Improving Self-Management:

Provision of self-care in mobility. The mobile health applications through tons of

resources and tools are individually tailored to address pertinent health needs. These apps
transmission of nutrition and exercise supplementary knowledge into them and in enable the user
independent tracking of specific health parameters, fostering awareness about the well-being.
Likewise, My fitness Pal does not only draw people's attention to health but, more significantly,
it is an app that offers virtual feedback on the progress they are making thereby promoting a
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feeling of accountability and motivation to keep going (Anderson, 2017). Furthermore, diabetes
patient apps such as Glucose Buddy offer a simplified means of glucose level keeping and a
mode of adherence to treatment plans, in this way patients are empowered to take control of their
ailments. These apps add value to patients by providing them with information and support
which is now accessible to them whenever they need them thereby enhancing an individual's
self-care and self-sufficient in their health management.

Also, mobile health apps that use the connectivity of smart phones or wearable devices as
a tool for distantly monitoring and supporting populations easily overcomes the limitation of
geographical boundaries and increase the level of accessibility to care. With methods such as
remote data transmission and the option of virtual consultations, patients can get immediate
feedback and useful information from healthcare professionals remotely, not having to make in-
person visits to the doctor's office. On one hand, this remote access allows patients to receive
more convenient care as well as to get the benefits of proactive interventions and early detection
of health issues. The process of fostering sustained participation and self-care initiatives that
transcend traditional health settings encourages patients to have a hand in their own health
management thus achieving better since outcomes (Banskota, 2018).

Addressing Unmet Needs:

Mobile health apps serve as key players in meeting the discrepancy in mental healthcare
by offering services like meditation and brain exercises that can be accessed at any time of the
day. Apps such as Headspace and Calm make calming and relieving stressor become like an
inner sanctuary to the users and this in turn reduces the barriers to health services which
otherwise people could find difficult to access. These apps equally not only provide immediate
help moments but may also be; and make it easier and accessible to approach a therapist by
providing adequate support.

On the same token, mobile health apps such as those named Doctor on Demand
overcome geographical obstacles, and with them, the lack of healthcare professionals in such
areas, by providing remote consultations. These platforms for example helps the patients
especially those who are in remote or medically underserved areas to connect with the healthcare
providers via video conferencing on time and hence play the role of bridging the gap in timely
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health care delivery. By providing an additional platform for telehealth and thus expanding its
reach to anywhere (Buys, 2018), mobile health apps prove to be another channel through which
equity between healthcare service delivery and the overall health of people in different
populations is promoted.

Transforming Therapeutic Relationships

Mobile health applications are the accelerators which bring about changes in the manner
of patients' interaction with doctors, and turn it into the collaborative and patient-centered
process of care provision. Additionally, communication and data sharing are robust factors,
which are transmitted for better birth by these apps ushering in the gap within in-personal visits
and so a complete and comprehensible understanding of patients health are gained. Meanwhile,
applications such as Fit bit for remote monitoring of patients support the easy sharing of activity
information between patients and their medical providers, something that helps in proactive
interventions and treatment programs customized to an individual based on actual data. Such
two-way dialogue between professionals and patient can lead to patients acting as active
participants of their care routines and empower professionals to offer more precise and timely
assistance, which improves the relationship between patient and professional in a mutual way.
On top of this, such platforms, which can be accessed through mobile health apps (Huckvale,
2012), permit asynchronous communication between patients and healthcare workers allowing
patients to search for guidance and support when they need it. These platforms are conducted
through the means of secure messaging, video consultations, or virtual check-ins that prioritize
continuous relation between patients and healthcare providers, allowing patients to feel that they
are being handled by knowledgeable professionals. Mobiles health applications encourage
participatory and shared connection with patients, which means that they give patients more
active engagement in their health care decisions and help the delivery process to be more
efficient and productive. However, the overall transformative influence that mobile health
applications impose on the therapeutic relationship in general has been ascertained as their
highest capability to modify health outcomes as well as patients' general experience during the
disease.
Ensuring Patient Safety and Information Security:
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Protection of patients and the information which is involved in developing and using
mobile applications for their health is a necessity. In this way, compliance with the HIPAA
regulations is necessary to protect the privacy and sensitive data of the patients so that such data
is not stolen by unscrupulous individuals (Lee, 2018). Moreover, integration of encryption codes
and authentication mechanisms is of a high order of security, thereby reducing the prospects of
data leaks and accessing data without authorization. Updated monitoring and keeping up to date
every time is important for staying ahead of the latest malicious threats as this enables
developers to quickly take action to combat any discovered negative event. Meanwhile, by
putting user safety and information security first on their mobile health applications, they not
only meet regulations but also maintain user trust and confidence, which are crucial trust factors
among users and healthcare professionals, leading to an overall strengthening of the integrity and
reliability of these platforms.

Addressing Equity Issues:

The use of E- Health applications brings a lot of promises but equity questions come up
with the access to technologies which are particularly evident in poorer segments of the society.
The factors which are digital literacy (Statista, 2022), internet connection, and phone ownership
play a major role in the attempt to have these technologies as a result of which there are gradients
in the access to healthcare too. One can conclude that to regulate these inequalities, developers
should give the top priority to inclusiveness in the realization of the design and implementation
of mobile health applications. Part of this entails creating interfaces which are comfortable to the
user, equipped with an intuitive navigation system and customized for different languages for the
purpose to serve different peoples.

Additionally, collaborations with local associations and health care providers may help
this application to be used by the undeveloped communities. Combined activities, by virtue of it,
can help with organizing outreach schemes as well as educational programs to show people in
the most disadvantaged groups about utilizing these technologies. Government campaigns and
subventions can be also on the list of key factors alerting the cost of mobile health care and
making sure that those costs will not be a barrier in the process of receiving the services.
Through focusing on design with equity in mind and implementation that also incorporates
equity as a base, mobile health applications can create an opportunity to converge the current gap
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in access to healthcare through the bridging of the digital divide. Overcoming access barriers and
stepping out the needs of each patient is the critical objective towards successful use of medical
technologies. As a result, the disparities in healthcare can be mitigated and health outcomes can
be consolidated for people from different backgrounds (Powell, 2014).

Impact on Healthcare Professionals:

Mobile apps in healthcare are one of the biggest changes that have ever happened in
healthcare delivery today, and they cover several diverse areas to empower the patient and
improve care service. As for these technologies, they are as not only patient-empowering, by
means of bringing the access to information and resources, but also fulfill the remaining needs
and bridge the existing gaps between healthcare services by expanding the avenues of services to
impoverished communities (Marcolino, 2018). Last but not least, computer simulations in
healthcare dramatically change healthcare providers – generic workers interactions that usually
result in better health conditions for all patients.

Safety and privacy of the patients should be a priority; thus, meeting the regulations
required by law and technological measures such as data encryption may be required. Second,
equity concerns can also be overcome by improving fair and convenient services through online
applications and bringing people from underrepresented groups into the process by collaborating
with organizations and introducing governmental projects.

As a multidisciplinary area, accomplishment of mobile health application objectives will

be a cumulative effort that depends on the cooperation from developers, healthcare providers,
policy makers and the users. The different aspect of technologies can be paid attention to in
terms of distributive equity, inclusive practices, and maintaining regulatory standards to nurture a
health care system that is not only accessible and efficient but also adaptable to the diverse
patient needs.
Conclusion:

Mobile health apps are a paradigm change in the healthcare system, which lets the patients be
more involved, and provides effective solutions to unmet needs, also renews specialists-patient
relationship, ensures patient safety, addresses inequity issues, and has an impact on healthcare
professionals. Nevertheless, no moving further towards technological capacities is a joint action
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of all the parties to ensure that legislative norms are met, and the promotion of equity and
inclusivity occurs. Through using mobile health applications not only in medical practice but
also in daily life, healthcare system will be changed possibility into a more accessible, improving
efficiency, and patient-centered one.
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References:

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Banskota, S., Healy, M., & Goldberg, E. M. (2018). 15 smartphone apps for older adults to use
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Barello, S., Triberti, S., Graffigna, G., Libreri, C., Serino, S., Hibbard, J., & Riva, G. (2016).
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Buys, R., Claes, J., Walsh, D., Cornelis, N., Moran, K., Budts, W., & Woods, C. B. (2018).
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Huckvale, K., Morrison, C., Ouyang, J., Ghaghda, A., Car, J. (2012). The evolution of mobile
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Lee, Y., Shin, S., & Kim, J. (2018). Towards practical implementation of mobile health for
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Powell, A. C., Landman, A. B., & Bates, D. W. (2014). In search of a few good apps. JAMA,
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Statista. (2022). Number of mHealth apps available in the Apple App Store from 1st quarter
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