Telemedicine has been in use for several years and Meaningful Use has ensured that organizations adopt PHR and portals but more recently there has been an explosion in mHealth and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). Explain the two terms and describe how they could impact the clinical practice setting.
mHealth refers to the use of mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices and mobile applications to support medical and public health practices. It includes health apps for tracking fitness, chronic disease management, medication reminders, mental health support, teleconsultations, and more. Patients can actively monitor their health using apps that track blood pressure, blood glucose, or physical activity. Clinicians can use secure messaging, app-based reminders, or mobile portals to communicate with patients, improving follow-up care and reducing missed appointments. Mobile health tools allow real-time sharing of patient-generated health data, enabling earlier interventions and more personalized care plans.
mHealth and the Internet of Medical Things
IoMT refers to a network of connected medical devices and applications that collect, transmit, and analyze health data over the internet. For instance, smart infusion pumps, remote ECG monitors, wearable biosensors, smart beds, and connected inhalers. IoMT devices can track vital signs, medication adherence, or cardiac rhythms from a patient’s home. This helps to reduce the need for frequent in-person visits and allowing for timely interventions. Smart devices can automate tasks such as temperature monitoring or medication dispensing, reducing nurse workload and minimizing human error.
Data from connected devices can be analyzed to predict adverse events, including sepsis, falls, or heart failure exacerbations. This enables preventative care and improving outcomes. IoMT can seamlessly feed data into electronic health records, improving documentation accuracy and clinical decision-making. Both mHealth and IoMT extend care beyond the clinic, enhance real-time data sharing, and shift the focus toward proactive, personalized, and preventive care. APA