There are already thousands of mobile medical apps available in the market today. Whether you want a program to help you quit smoking, store medical documents or track your workout performance, there is a mobile app likely to catch your eye.

The growth and popularity of mobile platforms for medical science is inevitable, and so are the questions that arise as a result of this emergine industry. For instance, helping the elderly understand technology is one concern. Another looming issue regards the health information exchanges and how data breaches can be prevented.  Medical records are highly personal data, and a lost or stolen mobile phone raises privacy security concerns depending on how secure or unsecure the device is.

The FDA is particularly concerned with the use of mobile medical apps and technologies that would allow patients to self-screen for diseases and health conditions that could trigger the purchase of over-the-counter drugs. This leaves them with the task of identifying and reviewing the over-the-counter of status of drugs in light of the proliferation of mobile diagnostic tools. But while the FDA wrestles with mobile technology, the agency is also aware of the advantages that innovations can bring. In a meeting notice, the FDA wrote: “Eliminating or reducing the number of routine visits could free up prescribers to spend time with more seriously ill patients, reduce the burdens on the already overburdened health care system, and reduce health care costs.”

Software that runs on devices such as Android phones, iPhones and tablets has catalyzed the industry to move further down this path. And as it follows an upward trajectory, people begin to ask if mobile medical and health apps are replacing our doctors? Perhaps not, but these can make their job easier, and healthier too.

Entrada App

Physicians now have a mobile tool to abridge the adoption of electronic health records without experiencing the inevitable loss in productivity because of the tedious documentation process. The new Entrada app for iOS devices will help improve physician output with an improved level of technology and mobility.

Dr. William Edwards, general vascular surgeon at The Surgical Clinic in Nashville in Tennessee shares the conveniences of using this app:

“The level of functionality and speed Entrada has achieved with their newest app is truly remarkable. With Entrada, I’m no longer tied to a workstation when dictating, and the added mobility and flexibility saves me significant time each week.”

ALLPRO Imaging

A top producer of healthcare, industrial and military solutions, ALLPRO Imaging has just introduced its iPad/iPhone app, available for free download. It’s targeted to specifically assist healthcare industry end-users.

Assistant Marketing Manager at ALLPRO Imaging, Jennifer Healey expresses excitement over this new development, saying, “We are excited to offer this tool to our customers. The app reinforces our commitment to providing top-notch service tools and valuable product information to our customer base.”

The app features products, news, videos and events that will closely link customer and dealers to each other.

MedXVault

A new free app by Giffen Solutions Inc. gives patients the opportunity to share medical records with their doctors. Through MedXVault, patients can securely manage their healthcare profiles that may include medications, allergies, ailments, surgical histories, hospitalizations, immunizations, contacts and insurance details. The app also allows users to upload lab, radiology and other important reports and data securely, while granting doctors access this information as needed.

Industry veteran and CEO of Giffen Solutions Inc. Dr. Michael Nusbaum briefly explains the concept behind the functionality of the product:

“We realize that in today’s society, patient information and communication are paramount. MedXVault makes pertinent and critical information available to physicians when it is needed most, at the time of patient contact. This enhances a patient’s quality of care and improves the patient’s experience while safeguarding against any medical errors.”

Mobile ECG Recorder

Earlier this week Mellissa reported on AliveCor’s breakthrough ECG mobile recorder. The monitoring device is intuitive and allows users to learn and characterize heart rates via handheld technology. This tool is engineered to aid physicians and medical providers to keep track of a patient’s heart condition for various reasons.

The mobile apps developed for the field of medicine and science is a nascent field. The benefits that can be drawn, both financially and medically, are startling. But just the same, each app and service should be rigorously evaluated. Assessment could look into whether the app’s disclaimer is valid, the security levels for file-sharing and other privacy concerns specific to this sector.