What’s the future of medicine?
You could be holding it in your hand, and you might even be reading this post through it. Smartphones offer incredible computing power in an easily transportable size. Accessibility to the technology is another advantage. Cisco already projects that more smartphones have been built than people currently on the planet. With virtually everyone either owning or having access to a smartphone the core functionality of the devices will continue to adapt to the needs of the users.
Using a smartphone as a heath monitor already occurs on a limited basis. Enterprising companies have created app and add-ons to do everything from monitor blood sugar levels to blood pressure. The blood pressure app includes data that graphs a patient’s blood pressure over time.
These do it yourself medicine add-ons display only a fraction of the potential of the smartphone as a medical device. Once medical doctors fully embrace the technology the types of care usually associated with an office visit may become a quick 15-minute video call followed by medical tests taken at home.
Areas that computers excel at, such as processing large numbers, may be used to monitor cell counts or track a sudden shift in a patient’s health. People receive alerts on their phone when their bank balance falls below a certain amount. Imagine if an alert went out if the warning signs of a heart attack or a stroke were detected. Making the rounds will take place from where the doctor wants it to in the near future.
