1. Information on the Go
mHealth tools that enable you to have your personal health information on your cell phone exist. There are a multitude of apps which allow you to enter your health history, caregiver/medical POA information, medications, and physicians and other provider contact information. This will be important if you wind up in an emergency department, urgent care center, or an unfamiliar provider’s office.
2. Healthcare Search tool
If you are searching in an unfamiliar place for readily available healthcare facilities, providers (primary care or specialists), pharmacies, there are special apps for this purpose. Many health insurance companies have apps which help customers in this regard as well. Some may allow you to make an appointment, put you in contact with a health coach, and provide tips for health.
3. Medication Compliance
Many apps exist which remind you how and when to take your medications. Some will renew your prescription if your medication runs out. These will come in handy if you cross time zones, or are caught up in holiday revelry. Some technologies consist of reminders or adherence confirmation messages originating from specialized medication dispensers.
4. Nutrition
Wireless tools for diabetics can store and track glucose measurements, suggest dietary interventions, and provide educational information. Other apps provide nutritional information about the exact food you are eating, noting the restaurant and dish you ordered. Educational apps providing content of fat, additives, calories, sugar, fiber, and cholesterol can help you eat better as well.
5. Fitness Tools
After all that food (which may or may not have been prepared with a healthy lifestyle in mind), choose from one of many apps which provide locations of fitness centers, workout regimens, and those which provide and store data of your outside activities with GPS, accelerometers, heart rate monitors, and other sensors.
While mHealth has a far way to go to reach the potentials in improving health, it has come a long way in a very short time. The above examples offer up just a taste of how these technologies can affect our lives and make us more responsible and proactive in our own healthcare. One other way that mHealth offers comfort and care to travelers is the utilization of telehealth physicians that are available via Internet. Primary care or specialists will ‘see you’ over a video conferencing format in a prompt, relaxed and convenient manner.
