Montgomery, MD– Are you using a mobile app to track a health condition, get medical advice, or simply to stay in shape?

Consumers and health care professionals have access to a wide variety of mobile health applications that can help patients improve their health and wellbeing, as well as better manage their medical conditions.

Earlier last month, we found this infographic on pharma apps and noted that today’s top pharma apps are focused on everyday wellbeing rather than chronic conditions, while many of these health apps are left with zero reviews and little activity.

With more and more apps promising similar purposes, how do we know which ones to trust? Do we have to be concerned about the accuracy of information and health advice they provide?

 

Mobile Medical vs General Wellness Apps

First, let’s distinguish between medical and general health or wellness apps.

A medical app can be defined as a medical device and its functionality could pose a risk to the patient’s safety if the mobile app did not function as intended. According to FDA.gov, a mobile medical app is intended to either “be used as an accessory to a regulated medical device; or to transform a mobile platform into a regulated medical device.”

If a mobile health app is defined as a medical device, the FDA has the right to apply the same risk-based approach to assure safety and effectiveness as it does for other medical devices. An example of a medical app would be an app to manage insulin doses for diabetic patients.

Health apps intended for general wellness encourage a healthy lifestyle and serve low risk to the consumer. Examples of health mobile apps that would not be regulated include apps for general patient educations, tracking schedule or diets, and providing access to medical literature.

 

So, which ones can we trust?

Medical apps that can help you with a certain condition are often designed in collaboration with lawyers and medical professionals. Before you download an app, make sure it’s reputable, gets updated regularly, and discuss its intention with your doctor.

As far as general wellness apps go – do what helps you stay motivated, but stay skeptical about health advice if you don’t know the source.

What apps do you use and trust? Let us know in the comments below!

About the Author:

As Managing Director of Innovation and Insights for Syneos Health Communications, Leigh is responsible for building and scaling a global team of healthcare experts who together help life science leaders better understand the complex lives, influences and expectations of their customers. Specifically, they uncover actionable insights that fuel empathy and creativity; lead co-creation events that let marketers learn from peers, trends, and new possibilities; and help clients identify the most valuable and useful new customer experiences to create.

Leigh has worked with Fortune 1000 companies to craft their digital, mobile, social and CRM strategies for nearly 20 years.She’s worked for category-leading agencies in retail, public affairs, B2B technology, and higher education. Prior to moving to Syneos Health Communications, she held several leadership roles at our largest agency, GSW.  There, she founded an innovation practice fueled by the zeitgeist and spearheaded digital and innovation thinking across the business.

Leigh has taken a special interest in complex healthcare products that can change lives in meaningful ways. She was recently a strategic lead on the 3rd largest launch in pharmaceutical history: Tecfidera. Before that she had keys roles with Eli Lilly Oncology, Abbott Nutrition, Amgen Cardiovascular, and Eli Lilly Diabetes.

A critical part of Leigh’s work is trends and new ideas. Every year, she convenes a group of trend watchers from across our global network to identify the shifts most critical to healthcare marketers. This year, she led over 250 experts to experts to focus on the most important changes in the commercial, consumer, marketing, digital and healthcare landscapes. (See reports at trends.health)

Leigh is a sought-after writer and speaker. Recognized as one of the most inspiring people in the pharmaceutical industry by PharmaVoice and Top 10 Innovation Catalysts of 2017 by MM&M, Leigh also was recognized  as a Rising Star by the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) for her overt passion, industry thought leadership and significant contributions in new business, strategy and mentoring.