Health Care Trends With a Social Media Twist

Healthcare mobile apps - resource or device?

In light of current debate around the need for a revision in CE Mark approvals on medical devices, I wonder where the line falls with regards to Mobile apps aimed at healthcare professionals?

Patient health apps are now readily available to count your calories and support your exercise regime, apps are even available to beep the correct timing for chest compressions in CPR, but if developing an app to be used by a healthcare professional – is it a resource or a device?

The MIMS app providing concise information on over 2,000 medicines on the go, has been reported a success with more than 8,000 downloads and a 4-star rating – but can this be built on, as we can interact with these devices so much more than is possible with books or journals.

A charity d4 has released a report to help clarify the issue for those creating medical apps – and it raises some interesting points!

http://www.d4.org.uk/research/regulation-of-health-apps-a-practical...