From Texting to Apps, Using Cell Phones for Health
By Neergard, Lauran; Seattle Times,Publication Date: July 12, 2010
Article discusses the use of software for mobile phones and smartphones to manage chronic health conditions such as diabetes. Referred to as mHealth, for mobile help, applications by companies including NoMoreClipboard and Welldoc Inc. are used to remind patients with diabetes via text messages to check their blood sugar and enter measurements into a web based personal health record, data that can be monitored by clinicians who, in turn, can adjust medication based on fluctuations in blood sugar levels. mHealth applications can also be used to send simple medication reminders to patients. Studies testing the efficacy of cell phone based health monitoring and management described include one at George Washington University involving inner city diabetics who are offered reduced monthly cell phone rates as long as they comply with a daily regimen of glucose level recording and medication taking; and a 260-patient follow-up to a smaller study at the University of Maryland which found use of Internet-based two-way interaction with Welldoc phone features including real-time monitoring of blood sugar fluctuations resulted in participants’ blood sugar dropping over three months.
Assistive Products Discussed: WELLDOC
Published by: Seattle Times Company (Website:http://www.seattletimescompany.com)
Link to text: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2012338303_apusmedhealthbeatcellphones.html
