Number of Patients Monitored by Smartphones to Increase to Three Million by 2016

In a study conducted by Juniper Research it has been established that the number of patients who are monitored through a smart phone will rise to three million by 2016. This is due to the increased processing power found in smart phones in recent years. Such usage is also likely to reduce costs of mHealth services.

According to the new report, monitoring of cardiac patients is leading in this area since reimbursement of insurance plays a key role in this field. However, in the near future such monitoring will be extended to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

According to the author of the report Anthony Cox, remote patient monitoring will reduce the cost of mHealth services as it reduces the cost of unhealthy lifestyles and old populations. According to the report medical App downloads and mobile healthcare usage is likely to reach 44 million by the end of 2012 and is likely to further increase to 142 million by 2016. The report also states that the US FDA needs to provide clarifications as to which mHealth Apps require approval from the US FDA. Developing countries are benefitting from SMS education programmes and other healthcare services based on apps such as mobile ultrasound. Electronic Health Records however need to gain importance in developed markets as it is likely to become a major part of the mHealth offerings.