The Times article available "Smartphone Apps are Key for Patient Health"
Increasing patient expectations, chronic disease prevalence and budget constraints are placing unprecedented pressure on the NHS. This is paving the way for technology to transform radically care pathways in the UK. Giving people greater control over their health and wellbeing through digital innovations is a crucial part of this process.
At the Nuffield Trust Health Policy Summit, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Patients are ready to take on the challenge. We need to give them the chance to sit in the driving seat.” He added that, although technology is key, it is also important “to change the cultural relationship between doctors and patients, from master and servant, to partners”.
A review of the research conducted globally on the digital self-management of asthma concluded that this can improve self-care, life quality and medication use. In a US budget impact model for diabetes, self-management technology delayed complications and generated savings to the health system. Remote monitoring of blood glucose, alone, saved $326 million over ten years.
Telemedicine, wearable technology and online resources are all crucial in creating efficient services, potentially saving the NHS money that could be spent elsewhere. But mobile phones are considered the key driver. “Between December 2013 and June 2014, daily use of health apps increased by ... to read the full article and obtain a pdf copy of The Times "Future of Healthcare" report please follow the weblink below.