Clinical management apps: creating partnerships between providers and patients

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Digital Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The market for mobile health applications is expanding rapidly, with over 40,000 apps available.
• Clinical management apps facilitate patient-provider collaboration for chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma.
• Current adoption is concentrated among health plans and large healthcare organizations focused on outcomes and cost control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of clinical management apps in transforming healthcare.
• To identify barriers and opportunities for broader adoption of health apps.
• To examine the role of health apps in improving access and reducing disparities for low-income populations.

Main Methods:

• This study is a review of the current landscape of health applications.
• Analysis of market trends and adoption patterns of clinical management apps.
• Identification of challenges hindering wider implementation and potential solutions.

Main Results:

• Over 40,000 health apps are currently in use, with clinical management apps showing promise.
• Key challenges include a lack of objective outcome research, unclear payment models, and the absence of a standardized regulatory framework.
• Health plans and large healthcare organizations are the primary users, seeking improved outcomes and cost control.

Conclusions:

• Development of an infrastructure supporting research, payment, and regulation is crucial for broader app adoption.
• Health apps can potentially transform healthcare delivery and expand access, particularly for underserved, low-income populations.
• Addressing current challenges could leverage health apps to reduce health disparities and improve overall population health.