We all know how aggravating and expensive a visit to the doctor’s office can be— minimum medical interaction at maximum payments. But is it enough to make you resort to mobile health care apps? If so, then you are the majority.
A recent study reveals that 59% mobile health technology users say mobile apps have replaced doctor visits. And doctors are not too enthralled with patient’s use of it. According to the report, Emerging mHealth: Paths for Growth 27% of physicians encourage patients to use health apps to become more active in managing their health, while 13% discourage it. The remaining 64% have concerns that patients will become overly independent with it.
PwC global healthcare innovation leader, Christopher Wasden provided insight on mobile technology mixed with medicine, stating, “consumers are now empowered with information on price, services, wait times, and quality. … So they start making decisions like they would in any other marketplace.“
With the increase of mobile access to medical information, physicians fear that the proper way to practice medicine will soon spiral out of control, ultimately leading them to a greater loss of revenue.
Clinicians also displayed concerns about the patient’s well being. Mobile devices are trying to cram 8 years of doctor’s specialized training in medical school and residency as well as multiple years of direct patient interaction all into an app, and letting the patient run wild with their own conclusions. Patients are able to compare different surgeries and procedures, and their complications and prices, which will lead them to make an at-home assessment. These apps can cause harm in the end.
Despite the overwhelming anxiety of entering (and leaving) the doctor’s office, it might just be safer and easier letting them make health evaluations. Consider these, new and innovative health- tech procedures more of… a second opinion. The heart of the matter is we should just accept that WebMD does not make us an MD… not even from our mobile device.
