The mobile health market is rapidly growing, and it's estimated that within five years 50 percent of mobile device users will have downloaded mobile health apps. While past surveys have shown that patients are eager for doctors to recommend such apps, it remains unclear if physicians feel comfortable prescribing them.
Over on MedPage Today, writer Kristina Fiore explores the potential of physicians prescribing health apps, such as BlueStar, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and helps patients monitor diabetes. Several of the clinicians contacted for the story said they are open to the idea, assuming that patients are comfortable using the app and that data shows the app to be effective. From the article:
Sue Kirkman, MD, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said a prescription app could be helpful, but its usefulness may be limited in that the patients "who want the app and are willing to enter data and respond to prompts may already be the more proactive ones."
Kirkman added that she hopes potential insurer reimbursement for apps opens the door wider to support of reimbursement for self-management tools such as contact with diabetes educators.
"Right now, pretty much only face-to-face visits are covered, not the ongoing contacts by phone, fax, email, etc., that are really needed to help someone sustain behavior changes and self-manage their diabetes optimally," she said.
Previously: Text message reminders shown effective in boosting flu shot rates among pregnant women, Texts may help people with diabetes manage care, Why physicians should consider patients' privacy before recommending health, fitness apps and Designing a mobile app to help patients and doctors identify personalized food triggers
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