It is estimated that there is 6 billion mobile phones in use worldwide (International Telecommunications 2012), this is an incredible number considering that the total populations is estimated to be 7.1 billion (US Dept. of Commerce).
In the US 59 % of adults are users of mobile internet. Low income and non-white use phones as their only access to internet (Purcel et al. 2010).
Mobile apps generate 466.000 jobs in the US and produce $20 billon in revenue (Rockwell2013). The cost of developing an app is in the range of $8000 - $100.000. Mobile apps have not yet a proven business model to guide entrepreneurs and there is little evidence in monetization.
The core driver of healthcare culture is physicians, the relationship of physicians with technology is questionable. For example 62% of physicians do not share emails with their patients. The average time for a significant healthcare innovation to become a standard is 17 years. This is mainly due to the resistance of physicians to change their practices and professional habits (Wislow 2013).
The physician's greatest source of power over the years has been their relationship with the patient. Physicians have used the relationship to escape corporate control and retain professional independence and authority (Starr 1982).
In mHealth, 42% physicians worry that mHealth takes patients too independent of them. 27% physicians encourage mHealth and 13% actively discourage it. 24% of younger physicians (5 years of experience) discourage mHealth (Levy 2012).
53% physicians report that personal mHealth Apps. work with their organization.
In the next 10 years mHealth will make savings of 305 billion US by reducing the travel time and expenses, faster communications and decision making. Remote monitoring alone is expected to save close to $200 billion in the next 25 years by managing chronic diseases (Levy 2012).
In the US 59 % of adults are users of mobile internet. Low income and non-white use phones as their only access to internet (Purcel et al. 2010).
Mobile apps generate 466.000 jobs in the US and produce $20 billon in revenue (Rockwell2013). The cost of developing an app is in the range of $8000 - $100.000. Mobile apps have not yet a proven business model to guide entrepreneurs and there is little evidence in monetization.
The core driver of healthcare culture is physicians, the relationship of physicians with technology is questionable. For example 62% of physicians do not share emails with their patients. The average time for a significant healthcare innovation to become a standard is 17 years. This is mainly due to the resistance of physicians to change their practices and professional habits (Wislow 2013).
The physician's greatest source of power over the years has been their relationship with the patient. Physicians have used the relationship to escape corporate control and retain professional independence and authority (Starr 1982).
In mHealth, 42% physicians worry that mHealth takes patients too independent of them. 27% physicians encourage mHealth and 13% actively discourage it. 24% of younger physicians (5 years of experience) discourage mHealth (Levy 2012).
53% physicians report that personal mHealth Apps. work with their organization.
In the next 10 years mHealth will make savings of 305 billion US by reducing the travel time and expenses, faster communications and decision making. Remote monitoring alone is expected to save close to $200 billion in the next 25 years by managing chronic diseases (Levy 2012).
Wearables
1 in 5 adults has a wearable. 1 in 10 uses it every day. Software for these devises is very basic. Few people is interested in sharing health data with friends and family. Nevertheless, they can do it with the right motivation. For example, 1 million users are sending data to Wallgreens every day in exchange of points. Consumers were asked ow likely they are to purchase the following technology in the next 12 month: Fitness Band 45%, Smart watch 35%, Smart clothing 20%, Smart glasses 19%, tracking device 13%.
Wearable owners are young males (18 to 34 years old). A second wave of owners is slightly older females (35 to 54 years old)
What information do people want from wearables: Smart exercise 77%, Collect and track medical information 75%, eat better 67%, find retail deals 46%, controlling home appliances 32%, access to entertainment 29%, plugging into social media 26%.
What data would customers want to share: nothing 43%, exercise 25%, health information 23%, mood/happiness levels 20%, weight 15%, diet 14%, sleep patterns 12%, medication 12%.
Consumers remain concerned about their privacy. Consumers were asked who they trust to hold their wearable data , they ranked they primary care doctor at the top of the list (54%). Then it follows in order: the health insurance company (Medicare, Medicaid), the hospital, tech company, the bank.
Wearable owners are young males (18 to 34 years old). A second wave of owners is slightly older females (35 to 54 years old)
What information do people want from wearables: Smart exercise 77%, Collect and track medical information 75%, eat better 67%, find retail deals 46%, controlling home appliances 32%, access to entertainment 29%, plugging into social media 26%.
What data would customers want to share: nothing 43%, exercise 25%, health information 23%, mood/happiness levels 20%, weight 15%, diet 14%, sleep patterns 12%, medication 12%.
Consumers remain concerned about their privacy. Consumers were asked who they trust to hold their wearable data , they ranked they primary care doctor at the top of the list (54%). Then it follows in order: the health insurance company (Medicare, Medicaid), the hospital, tech company, the bank.
Closing tips:
The smartphone remains the most popular potential medical device used by the average consumer today - isn't worn but instead resides close by in a pocked or purse -. Wearables will need to provide more than just data. They will need to provide useful insights, be interoperable, integrated, engaging, social and outcomes driven. Investment in the software side of this industry will be as important as hardware. Organizations will need to develop curation services to direct consumers to high-quality devices and apps.
The smartphone remains the most popular potential medical device used by the average consumer today - isn't worn but instead resides close by in a pocked or purse -. Wearables will need to provide more than just data. They will need to provide useful insights, be interoperable, integrated, engaging, social and outcomes driven. Investment in the software side of this industry will be as important as hardware. Organizations will need to develop curation services to direct consumers to high-quality devices and apps.