MHealth

mHealth (also written as m-health or mobile health) is a term used for the practice of medicine and public health supported by mobile devices. The term is most commonly used in reference to using mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones, tablet computers and PDAs, and wearable devices such as smart watches, for health services, information, and data collection.

History

The concept of mHealth began to develop with the advent of telemedicine. With the proliferation of mobile devices and wireless technology, mHealth has become a significant element of healthcare delivery.

Applications

mHealth applications include the use of mobile devices in collecting community and clinical health data, delivery of healthcare information to practitioners, researchers, and patients, real-time monitoring of patient vital signs, and direct provision of care (via mobile telemedicine).

Challenges

While mHealth certainly has potential for improving healthcare delivery, it also has potential challenges that need to be addressed. These include issues related to data security, infrastructure requirements, and ensuring quality and efficacy of interventions.

Future

The future of mHealth lies in its potential to leverage widespread mobile technology and connectivity to deliver efficient, high-quality healthcare services. This includes the potential for real-time patient monitoring, telemedicine, and improved access to healthcare information and services.

See also

• Telemedicine
• EHealth
• Digital Health
• Health informatics

External links

• World Health Organization mHealth Report

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  Saving Lives with SMS for Life
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  All Causes world map - DALY - WHO 2004