Mobile health technology

Health AppsDamien Leri (damien@bigyellowstar.com)

April 4, 2014

Health App

A computerized interface that a person consciously uses to promote health of one or more people.

Varieties of apps● Purpose (communication, data access or analytics, sensing)

● Platform (workstation, laptop, tablet, smartphone, watch, dumbphone, wearables,

sensors and other devices)

● Channel (visual, touch, text, voice)

● User (patients and populations, families, health care teams, researchers, regulators)

Advantages of Mobile Phones

● Prevalence of mobile phones spans socioeconomic gaps.

● Adapting to each person’s daily workflows, apps can be used when convenient.

● Apps and notifications can provide just in time behavioral triggers such as reminders or education.

● Mobile is about the individual. Data can be personalized to the location, language, and culture of each person

Addressing Health Care DisparitiesSocioeconomic barriers to health How health apps can help

Limited access to quality, affordable, and convenient care providers

Personalized matching of care providers and insurance options; Care coordination and navigation

Limited ability to take time off work

Health apps can replace certain face-to-face encounters with providersLimited transportation options

Limited education about health issues, and misinformation

Personalized, streamlined, and timely information about risks and prevention behaviors

Neighborhood effects: negative influences and lack of positive resources such as recreation and healthy, affordable food

Help navigating neighborhood risks and opportunities; Civic empowerment tools to promote community change

Communication barriers such as low literacy and cultural gaps

Translating doctor-speak into appropriate language, interactive components, audio, and video

Apps for the “Worried Well”

RunKeeper Lift

Track Thyself

Nudge

WebMD Allergy Quitter

Medical Reference and Robo-triage

WebMD Pregnancy

WebMD

WebMD Baby

Spot a Stroke (A. Heart Assoc.) Pocket First Aid (A. Heart Assoc.)

ePatient Communities

Mayo Clinic: Community

PatientsLikeMe

Games for Health

Zombies, Run!

Self Management and Prescribable Apps

CBT Referee

Consider the sourceMy Game Plan

Care Coordination

Mayo Clinic PatientmyChart

Targeted Care Coordination

Thal Happy (for thalassemia patients)

Text messaging

MedMesg.org

Starthealthier.org, et al.

Personal Health Agent

Preventify.me

Telemedicine

Africa.telederm.org: asynchronous diagnosis across continents

Augmented Reality

Big Data

Big Data

Developer Mindset

● Behavior theory (beliefs, social norms, perceived risks, triggers)

● Accessibility (language & literacy, technology, cost)

● User experience (simple, clear, fun)

● Incentives (short-term results, deeper motivation)

● Quality (reliability, accuracy, performance)

● Trust (privacy, security; trusting the entity who provides the app)

● Tie-ins to other systems (social media, health records, email)

● Notifications (reminders, followups)

● Variety of users and environments (age, mental health, literacy, country, neighborhood)

● Other ingredients (games, family, narratives or emotional appeal, social currency,

● Other barriers (conflicts with other apps, misleading expectations + liability)

● Sustainability (business model, scalability)

damien@bigyellowstar.com (Damien Leri)