The utilization of mobile health (mHealth) apps continues to rapidly increase in the United States. Such apps enable patients to log, store and monitor their health records on their personal mobile devices. The Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) suggests that clinicians are using these tools to collect bedside data, monitor data from remote devices, transmit data and coordinate care continuity, conduct telemedicine visits, communicate with patients and integrate data into an electronic medical record (EMR).
Overall, mHealth has the ability to improve the overall healthcare system by enhancing efficiency, communication, costs and quality of services. There are more than 53,000 mHealth apps available, but we’ve compiled a list of eight of the most popular.
- American Red Cross: First Aid
Developed by the well-known non-profit humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and disaster preparedness education in the U.S., this free app offers instant access to information users need to know to handle the most common first aid emergencies. It includes information for cuts and bruises but also has steps for more serious situations like performing lifesaving CPR. Other features include videos and interactive quizzes. Available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store or by texting “GETEMERGENCY” to 90999.
- WebMD
Many individuals know WebMD as an online publisher of news and information pertaining to human health and well-being. However, the company also offers an app with essential basic first aid information, a symptom checker, a drug and vitamin database and a pill identification tool. It also includes a physician directory and a drug interaction checker, which lets users find and identify potentially harmful and unsafe combinations of prescription medications by entering two or more drugs in question. Available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
- Fitbit: Health & Fitness
Designed to work with Fitbit trackers, smartwatches and scales, the Fitbit app provides information on free workouts, nutrition programs, meditation tracks and sleep tools. It also allows users to track their daily fitness and cumulative progress. The app is free but offers in-app purchases and is available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
- GoodRx: Prescription Coupons
Americans spend an average of $1,200 each year on prescription drugs, with the most popular prescription drugs ranging in cost from $12.41- $97.57. The GoodRx app lets healthcare consumers compare pharmacy prices, access manufacturer coupons and pharmacy discounts and receive prescription refill reminders. Available in the Apple App Store for or iPhone and iPad and the Google Play Store.
- Epocrates
This app is primary designed for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and medical students. It includes a drug interaction checker, pill identifier and body mass index (BMI) calculator along with a feature that allows providers look up infectious diseases by name or symptom to view empiric and specific treatment recommendations. The app is free but offers in-app purchases and is available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. The epocrates+ app offers premium content.
- PTSD Coach
A tool for veterans who have (or may have) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this app offers self-assessment, support, positive self-talk and anger management. It also provides users with education about PTSD, information about professional care and tools that can help those who suffer from PTSD manage the stresses of daily life. Available in the Apple App Store for or iPhone and iPad and the Google Play Store.
- Zocdoc
Roughly 60 percent of patients report selecting a doctor based on positive reviews, and nearly the same percentage say they’ve avoided doctors based on negative reviews. The Zocdoc apps is designed to allow users to find and book the best local doctors based on reviews from other patients. It also gives them the capability to scan their insurance card to find doctors that match and filter physicians according to symptoms to find specialists in over 50 categories. Available in the Apple App Store for or iPhone and iPad and the Google Play Store.
- RingRx
The RingRx healthcare mobile app lets healthcare providers make or take phone calls and texts from anywhere as though they were in the office. When users receive a call from the RingRx healthcare mobile app, their office phone number will be displayed, helping calls get answered faster. Even when the RingRx app is closed, users can still receive up-to-date alerts from patients and staff with push notifications. Available in the Apple App Store for or iPhone and iPad and the Google Play Store.
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