Providing A Single, Integrated Mobile App And Other Keys To Successful Physician Adoption Of mHealth

Physicians have long enjoyed a seemingly dichotomous relationship with technology. On the one hand, the field of medicine is very often on the forefront of technological advances like imaging, micro and robotic surgery and implantable devices that manage such critical bodily functions as maintaining a regular heart rhythm. Yet physicians still heavily utilize such time-tested, low-tech tools as a stethoscope or even a paper chart!

There are many reasons for this mixed adoption of technology, but at its core it’s very simple – physicians will adopt technology that is efficient and works for them, and by extension, for their patients. Historically, physicians have not placed Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and similar technologies in the category of technology that works for them. Instead, they have chosen to sparsely adopt EMRs, often only with the threat of lost admitting privileges, or practice in hospitals and settings that don’t force them to use these systems. That is, until the advent of mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

This paper considers the evolution of mobile medical apps and the characteristics of these apps that are most likely to result in broad and sustained physician adoption. Ultimately, full clinical workflow support through a single app that integrates with EMRs and other clinical applications will be required to realize the full benefit of mHealth for both physicians and hospitals.

Download this white paper below to read more.