Smartphones and Tablets to aid healthcare in 2011

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: In the coming years, healthcare would be more Consumer-driven as the public would more responsibility for its own health, and mobile devices would be a big enabler in this, according to Ovum report.

In a new report, the independent technology analyst states that devices such as smartphones and tablet computers will help to drive the consumerisation of healthcare next year, by allowing the public to monitor health and prevent illness.

Cornelia Wels-Maug, senior analyst and author of the report, Ovum said, “The latest technology can play a key role. Smartphone applications can advise on ways to lead a healthy lifestyle, helping consumers to avoid illness in the first place.”

According to the report, market is readying for dedicated health and fitness devices. For example US consumer electronics retailer Best Buy has announced that it is to start selling wireless-enabled health and fitness devices in more than half of its 1,089 stores.

Dr Steve Hodgkinson, Ovum’s public sector research director said, “We also see a trend towards the use of devices like iPhones and iPads in health care in Australia. Health Minister Nicola Roxon demonstrated an iPhone app developed by the government for accessing medical records at an e-health conference this week.”

“Apps running in secure cloud computing style services can be accessed anytime and anywhere from mobile devices like smartphones and tablets,” he added.