Staying Healthy Using A Smartphone

This article, initially published in 2013, takes an interesting look at the emerging benefits of smartphone apps focusing on health. How has our way of thinking shifted over the last decade? How are things different now that a whopping 83+ percent of the global population owns and uses a smartphone? 

Dive in and read what we've got to say about the changes we've all experienced, and what to watch out for, at the end.

Smartphone ownership continues to grow across all age sectors.  As well as using them to stay in contact with work, family and friends, people are increasingly using specialized pieces of software – ‘apps’- on their smartphones to help with an array of other tasks.  Increasingly this might include managing their health, as this is a rapidly-growing area of the apps market, estimated to reach $26 billion globally by 2017. 

Diagnostic apps

Apps currently available can roughly be divided into three categories – diagnostic, treatment and monitoring or managing health.  Looking at diagnosis first, it takes a very sophisticated app to be able to take the place of a trained physician with many years of experience.  Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center tested four apps which claimed to be able to diagnose skin cancer known as malignant melanoma. They used photographs of actual cases of melanoma, and also of non-cancerous skin conditions, to test the apps.  Worryingly the ability of the apps to detect the serious malignant condition ranged from as little as 6.8% to a more reassuring 98.1%.  

It seems that the apps were better at spotting when it wasn’t cancer – with negative predictive values of 65.4 to 97%. So at least the apps tested would not be causing unnecessary alarm by indicating cancer when it wasn’t.  But the rate at which some were missing the melanoma is alarming. Delay in diagnosis of serious conditions like malignant melanoma can have significant consequences.

Treatment apps

These do not seem to be too common and the ones which have hit the news appear to be the bad ones.  In 2012 the Federal Trade Commission issued fines to two developers who sold apps claiming to cure acne. It seems the apps were based on a report in a British dermatology journal which showed that treatment of acne with red and blue light improved the condition.  The apps had people hold their smartphones up to their faces for a few minutes a day. 

Apps For Monitoring And Managing Health

The majority of health apps are aimed at helping people monitor their health.  Particularly those with long-term diseases such as diabetes, and heart and lung diseases (like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD). Many of these apps are genuinely useful and have the potential to help patients manage their health better. 

Typically the data they collect is recorded and stored electronically and can then be downloaded to a computer and shown graphically – highlighting changes.

This may lead to better management of patients’ health.

Some of the most popular types are for monitoring diabetes and helping patients manage it. Typically these apps allow patients to measure and electronically record blood glucose levels, which are an important aid to effective management of the disease.  The apps can calculate medication doses such as insulin in relation to information such as blood glucose reading, food eaten and exercise.  Some include useful information such as the calories and nutritional content of food helping people with diabetes to manage their diet.

Some of the apps work via electronic devices attached to the smartphone, such as a peak flow meter for monitoring lung function in asthma.  Others are able to measure heart rate and rhythm or oxygen saturation in the blood via devices. Measurements can be recorded, charted and sent by the app to the physician, who can then advise on treatment adjustments.

The apps have sensors (accelerometors) which can detect when a person has fallen down. They then give out an audible prompt and if the person does not respond to it, the app automatically calls emergency services.

General health management

Apps aimed at general health management, include those for medicines management.  These enable you to list your medications, dosage and when it’s taken. It will then prompt you to take your tablets at the right time.  They also remind you to request a repeat prescription from your doctor and can send the request to your doctor’s office.  Some can be connected to your local pharmacy so that they receive and dispense your new prescription automatically.

Other health-related apps will track calories eaten, or miles walked or run or even advise on diet.

How can you tell which apps are reliable?

Apps are currently unregulated although the FDA plans to introduce some regulations later this year. But most likely these will apply to apps which work through devices connected to your smartphone.  

Some charities such as the Red Cross, for example, have apps and are likely to be responsible about recommending them. Also look out for reviews of apps on the internet or among your peers.

Rubbish in, rubbish out!!

Where apps rely on data you input, they will only be as reliable as the data you enter.  So be honest about how many cakes you had/cigarettes you smoked!  Also always remember that an app is not your doctor and does not have his/her training and experience. So if in any doubt about your health always speak to your doctor.

What has changed in 2022?

Not only have we all had time to adjust to smartphone ownership, with an entire generation growing up practically glued to the things since this article was first published, the COVID-19 pandemic has also normalized telehealth in various forms. The internet has moved away from being a decentralized and chaotic space and has become more and more concentrated in the hands of jus ta few platforms, as well. 

Apps are perhaps an exception — it's still possible to create a nice-looking but functionally useless app that people will rely on and pay for, while harvesting (and selling) all their personal data. 

If you're using your phone to monitor your health, you're not alone. In 2022, the benefits of health apps are apparent to all of us, just like their pitfalls are. We don't need to tell you that you can get apps on your phone anymore. Instead, a reminder that your physical doctor has knowledge that most app develops don't is more prudent.