Large Practices Lead The Trend In EHR Adoption, Study Finds

According to a study report by Commonwealth Fund, adoption of electronic health record systems (EHRs) has increased significantly from 2009 to 2012. The study also finds that larger organizations have reported higher adoption rate than smaller settings. Also, there has been a considerable lag in interoperability between providers’ systems and patients.

Between 2009 and 2012, the EHR adoption rate jumped from 46% to 69%, as did their use of certain health IT functions such as electronic prescription transmissions to pharmacies, 34% to 66%; and electronic lab ordering, 38% to 54%.

Also see: Patients Still Not Fully Informed About EHRs

But the report also highlighted that only half of physicians in solo practices were using EHRs in 2012 vs. 90% of docs in groups of 20 or more. Also in 2012, just 1 in 3 primary-care physicians could swap clinical summaries with a physician colleague and only 35% could share lab results outside their practices. [@HealthITplus]

Physicians’ EHRs Usage Increase, But ‘Digital Divide’ Remains: Study

In the past four years, the adoption of electronic health records by primary care physicians has risen significantly. Physicians like the idea of staying connected with their patients. From the other end, patients also want to access their health records and to participate in their own health process. Even through the idea seems appealing to both patients and healthcare providers, a ‘Digital Divide’ still seems to linger between large and small physician practices, according to a new study by the Commonwealth Fund.

Also see: EHRs changing the way doctors deliver care

Here’s what the findings of the study outline: [@HealthITplus]

The Current State Of mHealth Apps And Where It’s Heading Now

We witnessed a plethora of mobile health enabled devices and wearable technology during the mHealth13 conference. We also found out that the focus towards mobile health is gaining more traction amongst healthcare providers as well as consumers. But one study conducted by Medscape, a networking and informative website for healthcare professionals, shows that while there are plenty of mobile health apps available for consumers, the execution of the applications may still need to be improved upon.

Also see: Patient-Centered Care Biggest Agent Driving Mobile Adoption – Excerpts From mHealth Summit 2013

The study cracked down on the best and most usable mobile apps in the market. The study divided the apps into different categories such as diabetes, oncology, women’s health and prescription compliance. [@HealthITplus]

The Intersection Of Healthcare And Mobile Technology Is Changing Everything

Technology has changed the way health institutes and professionals are providing care to patients. Boom in internet enabled devices – mainly smartphones and tablets – has triggered a new digital revolution in the healthcare industry called ‘mHealth’ or mobile health. Not only is mHealth changing the very fabric of the way healthcare is delivered, it is well on its way to becoming an integrated part of our life. Other budding mobile health related areas such as mFitness, wearable technologies are emerging as promising trends that are going to captivate the way healthcare is perceived.

Also see: mHealth Revolution, It’s Happening In 2014

Check out this infographic based on a research by IFC Interactive that depicts the intersection of healthcare and mobile technology. It’s more than an infographic. It also highlights the guiding principles for healthcare companies who need to engage consumers and members in a mobile context. [@HealthITplus]

mHealth Revolution, It’s Happening In 2014

Mobile health or mHealth is going to make a steep climb in 2014

Many recent reports have suggested that mHealth will be increasing rapidly and the technological developments surrounding mHealth is expected to be extremely broad and swift. Corroborating this trend is the presence of large number of health related gadgets, wearable techs, remote monitoring devices, presentations etc that were/ are being and will be showcased all major tech shows and events.

Also see: CES 2014 Dominated By mHealth Exhibitors

The mHealth sector has already seen significant growth over the past few years but 2014 will be a game changer.

Many analysts and reports are suggesting that 2014 will be the official start of what is being called the mHealth revolution. It will also transform the world of medicine and implementation of mobile devices in the healthcare industry. [@HealthITplus]

CES 2014 Dominated By mHealth Exhibitors

Mobile health apps and technology garnered huge response at the Consumer Electronics Show 2014

It was clear right from the start of Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that there has been a considerable shift in the focus of technology trends, particularly in the areas of mobility. This shift has been there for quite some time but the CES 2014 took it to the next level of mainstreaming new growth markets such as mhealth, medical technology, and mobile health applications. Consumers showed great enthusiasm for wearable gadgets to be used for fitness and health monitoring, among other purposes. [@HealthITplus]

Upcoming 2014 mHealth Events

There have been a lot of technological innovations and enhancements surrounding the mobile health (mHealth). Mobile health is considered the future of patient-centric care. One of the main factors contributing towards the growth of mobile health is consumerism. Today, consumers are becoming more tech savvy using their mobiles for a variety of stuff, every day. Smartphones and apps for healthcare are changing the way people are living and using apps to participate in healthcare.

mHealth Summit

The e-patient movement is the next big thing in the healthcare industry. Consumers are using multiple devices such as smartphones, tablets, wearable and connected gadgets such as watches, sensors etc. and are seeking new ways to integrate digital health into their day-to-day activities. Mobile sensors are taking more place within the industry. InMedica predicts that the American telehealth market will grow by 600 percent between 2012 and 2017. This would represent an increase from the current 227,000 telehealth patients to reach up to 1.3m patients in 2017. They think this is mostly related to the reimbursement changes in the US. [@HealthITplus]

Growth Areas And Changes To Watch For In The Health IT Market In 2014

According to a new Research and Markets’ report entitled: North American Healthcare IT Market Report 2013-2017, the health IT market of North America is going to grow at a compound rate of 7.4 percent to reach $31.3 billion by 2017 from $21.9 billion in 2012. The main factors driving this growth include higher demand for clinical information technology, and administrative solutions and services.

The report segments the market on the basis of applications, delivery modes, and components. Based on application, the North American healthcare information technology is segmented into provider (clinical information technology and non-clinical information technology) and payer, while the market by delivery mode is further categorized as on-premises, Web-based, and cloud-based. The healthcare information technology by component is made up of hardware, software and services. [@HealthITplus]