What is mobile health (mHealth)?

mHealth allows for continuous monitoring and real-time data collection to provide patients and healthcare providers with a convenient and efficient way to manage health. This technology is increasingly used in chronic disease management, fitness tracking, and remote monitoring. mHealth also serves to empower individuals to take an active role in their health.

mHealth is transforming healthcare through improvements in accessibility, affordability, and efficiency. Health systems that leverage mHealth technology receive the following benefits:

• Enhanced access: Ensures remote and underserved populations receive healthcare without the need to travel or wait for specialists to arrive.
• Cost savings: Patients pay less than frequent hospital visits, and organizations reduce maintenance costs. Also, mHealth technologies prevent costly emergencies.
• Improved patient engagement: Encourages patients to actively participate in managing their health, giving them more agency than previously possible.
• Timely intervention: Enables real-time data monitoring for quicker treatment decisions.
• Data-driven insights: Helps healthcare providers make informed decisions with more accurate and timely health data.

mHealth improves the lives and work of patients and healthcare providers by optimizing medical care and boosting treatment.

Mobile health works by using a range of devices and applications designed to improve health outcomes. These include:

• Wearable fitness trackers (e.g., Fitbit, Apple Watch)
• Telemedicine apps (e.g., Teladoc, Doctor on Demand)
• Blood pressure and glucose monitoring apps
• Mental health apps (e.g., Headspace, Calm)
• Health data sharing platforms (e.g., Apple Health, Google Fit)

Together with applications, mobile phones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, and smartwatches can monitor conditions like diabetes or heart problems. Additionally, some devices offer specialized functions like ECG monitoring or sleep tracking. With mHealth technologies, patients and healthcare providers are able to easily manage health conditions, support fitness goals, and even assist with mental health through guided interventions.

mHealth, eHealth, and Telehealth are related concepts but differ in scope and focus:

• mHealth specifically refers to the use of mobile devices for health-related applications, including apps and wearables.
• eHealth is a broader term that covers the use of digital technologies, from electronic health records (EHR) to hospital management systems. Learn about each type of software in our extensive article on the topic.
• Telehealth focuses on the delivery of healthcare services through telecommunications technology, such as video calls, enabling remote consultations and patient monitoring.

eHealth includes mHealth devices, among other technologies, and Telehealth represents the communication aspect of healthcare, bridging gaps in remote care. mHealth devices enhance Telehealth by providing healthcare professionals with the data they need to advise patients remotely.