The year is drawing to a close, and as some take the time to look back on personal highlights, we've taken the time to compile some mobile health highlights, mostly through numbers. While bigger research companies have forecasted potential growth in the space four or five years ahead, other surveys and studies offer different takeaways on digital health today -- from iPad vs iPhone comparisons to data privacy estimates for health tracking app users.
95M Americans used mobile for health in 2013
As of 2013, 95 million Americans are using mobile phones as health tools or to find health information, according to Manhattan Research. That’s 27 percent more than 2012, when the number was 75 million. More>>
Pew: 35 percent of US adults are online diagnosers
When it comes to looking for health information online, consumers have had fairly consistent behaviors over the past 12 years. A report, Online Health 2013, from The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project found that of the 81 percent of US adults who use the internet, 72 percent have gone online to look for health information in the past year. Some 59 percent of that online health information seeker group went online to specifically try to figure out what medical condition they or someone they know has. Pew calls this group “online diagnosers” and it includes about 35 percent of all US adults. More>>
Seven in ten doctors have a self-tracking patient
Seventy percent of doctors report that at least one patient is sharing some form of health measurement data with them, according to Manhattan Research’s annual “Taking the Pulse” online survey of 2,950 practicing physicians. More>>
Survey: 31 percent of doctors make Rx decisions from smartphones
Nearly three-quarters of physicians in the United States are using their smartphones at work, according to a March 2013 survey conducted by ad agency WPP’s Kantar Media. The survey of more than 3,000 physicians representing 21 specialties found that 74 percent said they were using their smartphones for professional purposes. The 2012 study found that about 68 percent of physicians were using their smartphones at work and 64 percent were in 2011. More>>
Pew: Caregivers are top digital health users, but only 59 percent find online tools helpful
Research from the Pew Internet and American Life Project shows that adults who are unpaid caregivers for a parent or child use online and mobile health tools considerably more than the average American, but only 59 percent of connected caregivers find internet tools helpful in giving care. Fifty-two percent said that online tools helped them deal with the stress of being a caregiver. More>>
Manhattan: 72 percent of physicians have tablets
Manhattan Research shared a few more numbers from its annual “Taking the Pulse” online research survey of 2,950 physicians in a webinar. The numbers showed that smartphone, desktop and laptop use has leveled out among physicians while tablet adoption has risen to 72 percent, up from 62 percent last year. The 62 percent number was a surprise for Manhattan last year, more than doubling 2011′s 30 percent metric. More>>
Survey: 43 percent of doctors use mobiles for clinical purposes
A survey by Deloitte found that 43 percent of doctors use smartphones or tablets for clinical purposes, which the firm suggested included EHR access, e-prescribing, and physician-to-physician communication. The study polled 613 physicians in the United States. More>>
IMS: Half of Android health apps have fewer than 500 downloads
There are more than 43,000 healthcare apps available from the US iTunes store, but only about 16,275 of those are patient-facing apps with “genuine” health content, according to a study from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics. Furthermore, in an analysis of the Google Play Store, IMS found that 50 percent of health apps are downloaded fewer than 500 times and just five apps account for 15 percent of all health app downloads. More>>
Survey: 83 percent of doctors would use mobile EHR apps but don’t have access
Black Book Rankings says that 89 percent of primary care and internal medicine physicians use smartphones to communicate with other hospital staff and a little more than half use their mobile to look up medical reference information. Only about 8 percent use a mobile device for ePrescribing, accessing records, ordering tests or viewing results, Black Book states. That said, 83 percent said they would use mobile EHR apps to update charts, check labs and order medications if their current EHR vendor made those features available for mobile. More>>
Survey: Mobile, cloud computing are source of most healthcare security worries
A study from the Ponemon Institute found that cloud based storage and mobile applications are the typical sources for safety concerns in clinical settings. The study, which surveyed 781 IT and data security practitioners, found that 33 percent of respondents said that they need to access protected health information (PHI) to do their work and yet few understood how to keep data secure. For example, 15 percent of those surveyed knew about HIPAA’s security requirements, but 33 percent of respondents indicated that they work for a HIPAA covered entity. More>>
Quarter of nurses have a work smartphone
Despite 75 percent owning personal smartphones, only a quarter of nurses at acute care hospitals have a smartphone available to support their nursing work, according to a survey by Voalte, which markets a smartphone-based secure hospital communication system, and American Nurse Today, the official journal of the American Nurses Association. More>>
Survey: Drug info is physicians’ top use for mobile
A Wolters Kluwer survey of 300 practicing physicians found 55 percent use both smartphones and tablets in their daily practice and of those, 72 percent primarily use smartphones for accessing drug information. More>>
Survey: 45 percent of smartphone users want online physician appointment booking
A large percentage of Americans want access to health services from their smartphone, but more want it through their laptop or desktop, according to a published survey conducted by Harris Interactive and HealthDay. Some 43 percent of respondents were interested in asking doctors questions, another 45 percent were interested in booking appointments, while 42 percent were interested in checking the effects and side effects of a medicine. More>>
Study: wireless devices improve blood pressure tracking, adherence
A study conducted by the Center for Connected Health found patients using wireless devices recorded on average three measurements every five days and patients using modem-based devices on average recorded one measurement every five days. When uploading data, patients with wireless-enabled devices uploaded their information on average twice every five days and those with modem-enabled devices uploaded once every 100 days. More>>
Older heart patients like remote monitoring, prefer in-person visits
Despite high levels of satisfaction with wireless monitoring technology, older patients with implanted cardiac devices still greatly prefer in-person physician visits to remote consultations, according to a study from Portugal. The report, published in the journal Telemedicine and e-Health, found that 53 percent of patients with pacemakers, defibrillators and other implanted, wireless devices that regulate or measure heart rhythm said they would rather have in-office follow-up with their doctors, while just 27 percent stated a preference for remote monitoring. More>>
InMedica predicts six times as many US telehealth patients by 2017
According to data released by research firm InMedica, the American telehealth market is predicted to grow by 600 percent between 2012 and 2017. While there are currently 227,000 US telehealth patients, according to InMedica, that figure is forecast to reach up to 1.3 million patients in 2017. US telehealth revenues, meanwhile, will jump from $174.5 million last year to $707.9 million in 2017. More>>
Consumer-driven health plan members more likely to use health apps
A report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) suggests that not only are people who are enrolled in consumer-driven health plans more cost conscious, but they’re also more engaged with mobile health and digital health tools. The survey found that about 10 percent of the population (about 11.6 million adults) is enrolled in a consumer driven health plan (CDHP), defined as an account-based health plan with either a health savings account or a health reimbursement arrangement. This is up from 7 percent in 2011 and 5 percent in 2010, so enrollment in these types of plans is on the rise, albeit slowly. More>>
Five percent of broadband households have digital fitness devices
According to a survey conducted by Parks Associates in March, about 5 percent of households with broadband internet have at least one digital fitness device — like a Fitbit, Jawbone UP, or BodyMedia FIT Armband. The survey, called Digitally Fit: Healthy Living and Connected Devices, polled about 10,000 broadband-enabled households. More>>
1 in 5 broadband households want live chats with health experts
Around 17 million US broadband households are interested in live chat services with healthcare experts, according to a survey conducted by Parks Associates. The study found that 50 percent of US broadband households with access to online services such as prescription refills, real-time video calls with a doctor, or appointments use these services and nearly 20 percent of US broadband households, over 17 million households, are interested in a live chat service with health experts. More>>
Report: About 300K patients were remotely monitored in 2012
Last year healthcare providers remotely monitored about 308,000 patients worldwide for congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, hypertension and mental health conditions, according to a report from InMedica. By 2017 that number should spike to 1.8 million patients, the research firm predicts. More>>
2012: US remote patient monitoring $10.6B market
Kalorama Information released a report this year on remote patient monitoring, stating that the US market increased from $8.9 billion in 2011 to $10.6 billion in 2012, an increase of 19 percent. Kalorama’s numbers looked at what the New York-based research firm calls “advanced remote patient monitoring”, which it defines as technologies that have wireless or remote capabilities and can potentially interact directly with an EHR. More>>
US remote patient monitoring topped $104M in 2012
A report from research analyst firm GBI Research predicts that by 2019 the remote patient monitoring market in the US will reach $296.5 million, up from $104.5 million in 2012. The firm believes that the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16 percent over the next few years. Worldwide, GBI estimates that last year the global remote patient monitoring market was about $223 million, and it will top $620 million by 2019. More>>
Remote patient monitoring to save $36B by 2018
Remote patient monitoring will save the world’s healthcare systems up to $36 billion by 2018, according to a projection by Juniper Research. The firm says North America will account for a little over three quarters of the savings, with Western Europe making up the next biggest chunk. More>>
West: Device interoperability with EHRs could save $30B annually
If medical devices were better integrated with IT systems and made to follow standards for interoperability with each other and with electronic health records, the US healthcare industry could eliminate a net $30 billion in unnecessary expenses a year, according to a study done by West Health. But a lot of things have to happen for savings to be that substantial. More>>
32 percent of Americans want more health messaging
Americans are more and more receptive to companies contacting them via email and text message, and healthcare is the area in which they most trust companies with their information, according to a survey from the Varolii Corporation, a recently acquired subsidiary of Nuance. Seventy percent said proactive messages might have helped them avoid a major issue like an overdraft fee or cable service interruption. More>>
iPad-equipped medical school class scores 23 percent higher on exams
In 2011, MobiHealthNews reported on an increasing number of medical schools instructing students to use mobile devices, including the University of California Irvine’s iMedEd program, where each of the 104 medical students in the class of 2014 received an iPad from the school when they started in 2010. Now the evidence is starting to come in that tablets as an educational tool really make a difference in the medical setting. UC Irvine reported this week that the first class to receive the iPads scored an average of 23 percent higher on national exams than previous classes, even though their incoming GPA and MCAT scores were comparable. More>>
Spending on clinical mobility to hit $5.4B in 2016
In the US clinical mobility spending is expected to grow from $2.9 billion in 2011 to $5.4 billion in 2016, marking a compound annual growth rate of 12.7 percent, according to IDC Health Insights. More>>
12 percent of care may soon be delivered remotely
According to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, when electronic health records “are fully implemented in 30 percent of community-based physicians’ offices,” doctors will be able to meet the demands of about 4 to 9 percent more patients than they can today. The report also estimated a 2 to 5 percent reduction in the need for physician specialists if doctors use “e-referral” technology more frequently. Other programs, like doctor-patient communication portals and telehealth technology, ”could help address regional doctor shortages” by enabling 12 percent of care to be delivered remotely. More>>
2018: 5 million disposable, mobile medical sensors
Although disposable body-worn wireless medical sensors have barely begun to see usage in healthcare, research firm ABI is predicting they will rise to prominence very quickly. By 2018, ABI analysts say, disposable Medical Body Area Network (MBAN) sensor shipments will hit 5 million. Previously, ABI reported that 160 million wireless wearable health devices, of which disposable sensors are a sub-category, would ship in 2017. More>>
Report: 18.2M health sensors will ship in 2017
According to a report by research firm ON World, 18.2 million health and wellness wireless sensor networks (WSNs) will be shipped worldwide in 2017, generating $16.3 billion in annual revenue. That’s up from 1.7 million shipments and $4.9 billion in revenues in 2012. More>>
18 percent of dermatology apps track or diagnose lesions
There are 229 dermatology-focused medical apps in the Apple, Android, Blackberry, Nokia Windows app stores, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Dermatology. More than half of the apps are patient-facing (51 percent), with 41 percent targeted at health care providers and 8 percent aimed at both groups. More>>
Survey: Employee wellness still seems ripe for digital health
A survey of almost 800 large and mid-size employers in the US, representing more than 7 million employees, found that a majority offer incentives to employees for agreeing to take health risk questionnaires (HRQ), biometrics screenings, or similar health-related programs. The survey, conducted by global HR firm Aon Hewitt, found that 83 percent of employers offer such incentives. More>>
Report finds pregnancy apps more popular than fitness apps
Last summer Citrix acquired ByteMobile for an undisclosed sum. ByteMobile works with mobile operators — 130 of them in 60 countries — to help them better understand how subscribers use their 3G and 4G networks and how best to optimize data services and mobile video services accordingly. Since ByteMobile has a view into what people are actually doing on their mobile phones, it has released an important set of metrics this week — including a handful related to mobile health adoption. According to ByteMobile, on average, 39 percent of mobile users who are using one or more mobile health applications are using a fitness app. More>>
Survey: 61 percent of employees in wellness programs join to earn incentives
According to a survey conducted by Virgin HealthMiles, the four most common wellness programs offered by employers are physical activity programs (58 percent), smoking cessation programs (50 percent), weight management programs (49 percent), and health risk assessments (47 percent). Virgin HealthMiles surveyed about 1,300 business and 10,000 employees for the report, and found that of the 1,300 businesses it surveyed about 80 percent offered health and wellness benefits. More>>
13M wearables to be used in corporate wellness plans by 2018
Over the next five years, 13 million wearable devices embedded with wireless connectivity will be integrated into wellness plans offered by businesses, according to ABI research’s report. In 2013, principal analyst Jonathan Collins said less than 200,000 wearable devices have been integrated into wellness plans. More>>
Pew: Most US adults track health data but few use digital tools
Perhaps surprisingly, a majority of American adults track their own health data, however, most aren’t using digital technologies to do so. About 69 percent of US adults track at least one health indicator, according to a national survey called Tracking for Health, conducted by Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project. More>>
A breakdown of the apps for specific therapy areas
Surveys look at digital health adoption, reasons for hesitance
Several surveys were released in March at — or coinciding with — HIMSS, focusing on different areas of consumer engagement in digital health. The Atlantic surveyed 1,000 US residents, finding that only 12 percent had emailed or texted their doctors. A Ruder Finn survey of more than 1,000 US adults found that 16 percent of smartphone and tablet users access health apps regularly. Finally, an online study by IEEE of 1,200 Facebook members (mostly engineers and technologists) explored attitudes about connected health devices, finding that only 9 percent listed health as a way in which they’re most interested in using connected devices. More>>
Mobile health sensor market to hit $5.6B by 2017
Germany-based research firm Research2Guidance predicted that the overall, worldwide mobile health market would generate about $26 billion in revenues by 2017, but this month it broke out a 2017 revenue prediction for mobile health sensors that connect to a mobile health app: $5.6 billion. The firm believes that this segment of the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 69 percent and 61 million health sensors will ship in 2017. According to the company, health sensors generated about $407 million in revenue in 2012. More>>
Health, fitness devices to make up half of all wireless accessories shipped by 2018
Shipments of app-enabled smart wireless accessories will approach 170 million by the end of 2018, compared to over 18 million this year, according to a report from Juniper Research. More>>
Berg: 64 million wearables to ship by 2017, with smartwatches leading
Consumer wearable devices — including fitness trackers, smart glasses, and smart watches — will have shipped 64 million units worldwide by the end of 2017, according to a report from Berg Insight. That’s up from 8.3 million in 2012 and 3.1 million in 2011, a compound annual growth rate of 50.6 percent. More>>
Health and fitness apps will be key selling points for smartwatches
ON World did a survey of 1,000 US consumers, asking them what factors they would consider before purchasing a smartwatch. Thirty percent cited fitness as the most important application, more than any other category. Another 18 percent listed health applications as most important. In addition, 20 percent of those consumers interested in buying a smartwatch at all were willing to pay at least $299 for a unit with integrated health and activity sensors. More>>
Report: 56M sports, fitness monitors to ship in 2017
Sports and fitness monitors, including wearable sensors and running and cycling computers, will hit 56.2 million global shipments in 2017, up from 43.8 million this year, according to IMS Research. Over the five years, the research firm predicts 252 million units will ship. More>>
Wearable device revenues to grow to $6B in 2018
Wearable connected device revenues will grow to more than $6 billion in 2018, according to findings from ABI Research. The survey tracked four areas: sports, fitness and wellness; home monitoring devices; remote patient monitoring; and professional (on-site) healthcare. More>>
Prediction: Wearables to lead the 515 million sensors to ship in 2017
Research firm ON World released data from its mobile health and wellness sensor reports, which predicts that in 2017, 515 million sensors for wearable, implantable or mobile health and fitness devices will be shipped globally, up from 107 million in 2012. More>>
Health and fitness users prefer iPhones to iPads
Health and fitness “enthusiasts” still prefer the iPhone to the iPad, according to a Flurry survey of 44,295 users. The iPod touch was not included in the survey. App data services company Flurry currently measures activity on 397 million active iOS devices. The data came from apps with Flurry’s data-collecting software installed. More>>
Fitness app installs to grow 60 percent by 2017
Global sports and fitness app installations are expected to grow to 248 million in 2017 from 156 million in 2012, a 60 percent rise, according to a report from IHS Electronics and Media titled “The World Market for Sports and Fitness Monitors.” The three app categories incorporated in the report are running, heart rate, and multi-sport and activity tracking. More>>
Survey: 82 percent of clinicians to use both smartphones and tablets next year
According to a survey conducted by athenahealth subsidiary Epocrates, almost 50 percent of all clinicians in the US are using smartphones, tablets, and desktops — all three of these devices — in professional capacities throughout their workday. This second annual survey included responses from 1,063 clinicians in May. More>>
Report: 1.7B to download health apps by 2017
Mobile industry analysts Research2Guidance have come out with a report on health apps, predicting that in 2017, worldwide mobile health market revenue will total $26 billion. More>>
Flurry: Millennials use health and fitness apps more than other age groups
App data services company Flurry released statistics based on results from 15,000 iOS users in the US about how Millennials, defined as young adults aged 25 to 34 years old, and all age groups use smartphones. The data came from apps with Flurry’s data-collecting software installed. All categories surveyed, including Sports, Health and Fitness, rose steadily during the day and peaked in the evening. More>>
Juniper: More than 1 billion BYOD devices in 2018, more than half will have security software
A report from Juniper Research predicts that by 2018, 35 percent of consumer owned tablets and smartphones will be used for business. The bring-your-own-device trend, which is particularly prevalent in healthcare, will lead to more than a billion employee-owned devices in the workplace. More>>