WellDoc, a company focused on developing next generation medical tools, announced that the FDA has approved its DiabetesManager System. I can hear you now, “what’s the big deal? There are plenty of those on the market already.” The key to this new system is that it delivers real-time monitoring results to a person’s mobile phone.
Again, is it really that great of a tool? The DiabetesManager System also links directly to the patient’s caregiver via the patient’s phone and can provide automated health updates. HIPA you say? Well the company’s press release says nothing about privacy issues, but because this is an ‘opt in’ program that communicates directly with a patient’s caregiver, the information passed is no different than a patient calling his or her caregiver.
After a quick read-through of the WellDoc’s site, I was able to read that the information captured is held in a highly secure database that only allows for approved member access. I understand the need for HIPA, but on the other hand I understand the need to provide healthcare information on the go.
The concept of mHealth, using mobile phones to help augment patient care, is something I am in love with. The UN Foundation, with the help of Adele Waugaman, is really leading the charge with providing improved medical care to developing nations via cell phones. The work the UNF is doing is a great example of how technology is being used to close the information gap.
I applaud the UNF for what they do. I see tons of uses for similar technology here in the US. Example: I am a male in my early 30’s and I can honestly say I haven’t seen a primary care physician in close to a decade. If my doctor or insurance company could find a way to link my foursquare and twitter to some sort of food/health monitor, I would sign up. They could then let me know when they recognize negative trends in my lifestyle and send me alerts.
I think what WellDoc is doing is great. Furthermore, I think what the UN Foundation is doing is amazing and I would love to see all of these technologies begin to promote a healthier lifestyle and lower health cost. Do any of you know of other great mHealth tools that are being used to provide better healthcare?