The NCAA College Basketball tournament may be must-see TV but here mobile health apps and devices are in the throes of competition and the stakes are high. Adherence, remote monitoring, engagement, improved outcomes, reduced healthcare costs. So begins our mini tournament of mobile health apps.
Welch Allyn iExaminer Adapter and app that connects to Ophthalmoscope (FDA cleared) vs HemaGo by NovoNordisk
Welch Allyn’s iExaminer app and ophthalmoscope is designed to make it easier to detect conditions like retinal detachment or glaucoma. The ophthalmoscope plugs into a smartphone. The examiner app on the smartphone allows users to store the pictures to a patient file or email and print them. It could make the practice of ophthalmology more mobile and potentially expand telemedicine.
NovoNordisk’s HemaGo app There are only a handful of apps for bleeding disorders and with an estimated 18,000 people with hemophilia in the US, NovoNordisk’s HemaGo is designed to help this patient population manage their condition. It’s also interesting to think about how pharmaceutical companies are using apps and integrating them with their own patient adherence objectives. Users set reminders for their treatment schedules, track how much factor was used and why it was used and record the frequency, duration and location of bleeds.
Winner: HemaGo
Why? It’s a good example of how apps are being used by pharmaceutical companies to improve tracking and adherence, particularly for orphan diseases.
