mHealth is described as the adoption of mobile technology within healthcare organisations and is becoming the new buzz word within the healthcare sector. According to an article by mHIMMS a “perfect storm of factors is coming together to ensure that mHealth explodes into mainstream consciousness by the end of 2012.”
Mobile technology can be applied across all healthcare organisations from hospitals, to clinics, to specialised health applications. Within hospitals the technology is used to offer in patient entertainment and communication facilities, reducing feelings of isolation by the patient whilst helping to make hospital stays that little bit more pleasant. Additionally, as hospitals continue to face growing pressure to improve productivity and meet strict budget and regulation requirements, mobile technology is revealing itself as a way of enabling cost efficiencies through automating and simplifying processes.
According to an article by FierceMobileHealthcare, doctors in particular are enthusiastic about mHealth with findings showing that almost 90% of doctors are keen to introduce mHealth. The article also shows that nearly 90% of doctors want patients to monitor health indicators such as weight, blood sugar levels and vital signs via mobile devices. This form of remote monitoring can be easily achieved through, for example, a customised app on the patient’s mobile handset or by simply texting their indicator details to their doctor or practice.
The use of SMS text messaging in GP practices is not a new concept as it is already used within a number of UK practices for sending patient appointment reminders or alerting patients when to take medication. SMS is a simple yet very effective means of communicating with people and unlike the telephone or postal service, is generally considered to be more discreet, immediate and less subject to delay. It is also convenient as messages can be sent outwith standard GP practice office hours thus making it easier to confirm, reschedule or cancel appointments which benefits the patient and also the practice by reducing the number of missed appointments.
A number of healthcare organisations already use HSL’s reliable and easy to use SMS services for these purposes and more. Further information on HSL’s mobile messaging services for the healthcare sector can be found on our website at http://www.hslsms.com/sectors/healthcare/.
Mobile technology can be applied across all healthcare organisations from hospitals, to clinics, to specialised health applications. Within hospitals the technology is used to offer in patient entertainment and communication facilities, reducing feelings of isolation by the patient whilst helping to make hospital stays that little bit more pleasant. Additionally, as hospitals continue to face growing pressure to improve productivity and meet strict budget and regulation requirements, mobile technology is revealing itself as a way of enabling cost efficiencies through automating and simplifying processes.
According to an article by FierceMobileHealthcare, doctors in particular are enthusiastic about mHealth with findings showing that almost 90% of doctors are keen to introduce mHealth. The article also shows that nearly 90% of doctors want patients to monitor health indicators such as weight, blood sugar levels and vital signs via mobile devices. This form of remote monitoring can be easily achieved through, for example, a customised app on the patient’s mobile handset or by simply texting their indicator details to their doctor or practice.
The use of SMS text messaging in GP practices is not a new concept as it is already used within a number of UK practices for sending patient appointment reminders or alerting patients when to take medication. SMS is a simple yet very effective means of communicating with people and unlike the telephone or postal service, is generally considered to be more discreet, immediate and less subject to delay. It is also convenient as messages can be sent outwith standard GP practice office hours thus making it easier to confirm, reschedule or cancel appointments which benefits the patient and also the practice by reducing the number of missed appointments.
A number of healthcare organisations already use HSL’s reliable and easy to use SMS services for these purposes and more. Further information on HSL’s mobile messaging services for the healthcare sector can be found on our website at http://www.hslsms.com/sectors/healthcare/.
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