Question

Directions:

Carefully read and respond to each question. Please complete your responses using complete sentences. Your responses will be evaluated on the basis of content accuracy, clarity, correct usage of the English language, and demonstrated evidence of critical analysis.  

10. What might be some of the long-term effects of patient-facing technology (such as apps that measure blood sugar levels or tell patients to refill their prescriptions)? How is such technology likely to affect the cost of healthcare? How might it affect access to healthcare?

Answer 1

Health apps help to monitor almost all the factors of our body such as blood pressure, diabetes, blood cholesterol, heart rate, sleep etc. It is widely used by people but the use of apps long-term result in the number of risks and hazards. The data produced by the apps are not reliable and accurate always. The patient is often facing technical issues with the apps. The app design needs to be upgraded often which is difficult for the elders. sometimes the data are open and misused by the others. Thus the confidentiality of the patient is lost once the information is hacked. Some of the apps are ineffective that will not provide the option of sending the information to the health professional. These health apps fail to diagnose new conditions.

Health apps are one of the expensive methods that increase the health care cost. The automated EMR is essential for health care app. This requires an extra workflow. The app has a need to universally linked. The app has need of features of geolocation, synchronization, push notification, booking, intercom report, data control, reporting, security increases the costs of management. Further, these apps can be used only in specified mobile or by the specified company which increases the cost of health care. Cost increases to protect patient privacy and information.

It affects the access to healthcare by decreasing the direct visit of patient and physician. People believe more about these technologies than the physician. Discontinuity in maintaining the health record of the patient. Continuous tracking and reporting minimize the follow-up of care and lack of direct physical examination leads to missing of a new diagnosis.