A growing technological trend is the use of mobile health (mHealth) applications, such as the use of apps in general. According to mobile industry research firm Research 2 Guidance, look at the numbers: Apple and Android offer more than 100,000 health apps. By 2018, business estimates that half of the world's 3.4 billion smartphone and tablet users will have downloaded the Mobile Health app.

Some of your patients have discussed the use of these applications and in addition to providing counseling, you can do a lot. As with any technology, it is important to explain to your patients that there are advantages and disadvantages to consider before installing a free or paid mobile health app.

mHealth applications‌ people can have control over their health but should not use as a substitute for regular doctor visits and medical care.

Let’s start with the most obvious benefits, all of which revolve around ease and understanding:

Comfort. Nearly two-thirds of Americans own a smartphone that allows them to track and maintain their health on the road. Many mHealth applications are free or cheap to download and allow some users to schedule medications or appointment reminders, check real-time medical information, or receive travel directions.

Encouraging others to do good deeds. According to a study published in BMJ, healthy adults can benefit from health apps. Dr. Iltifat Hussain told the New York Times that the apps could help users 'integrate personal decisions with health outcomes' and allow patients to be held accountable for their actions.

Read. Some health applications are educational and informative. Applications are available for medical reference, terminology, and anatomy, as well as apps that help diagnose prescription drugs. Medical publications and other materials are also available through many applications.

What about the opposite side of the equation? Here are three drawbacks of mobile health apps for doctors and health officials:

Personal information is kept confidential.

Many healthcare applications are raising concerns about data privacy. In 2013, the San Francisco-based Privacy Rights Clearinghouse examined 43 free and paid applications and found that 72 percent disclosed personal information such as dates of birth, email addresses, and medical information. Only half of the applications have a privacy policy, which usually explains why any personal information is collected and whether it is shared or sold to other parties. The study found that paid apps pose less of a threat to consumers' privacy because they do not rely on advertising for revenue.

Invalid information.

That said, by using a sensor under the phone camera, some apps can predict the user's heart rate and stress levels. Others claim to be able to use a phone screen or camera to assess blood pressure. When tested, these applications often provide erroneous conclusions or fail to read, although it is rare that the information presented is untested and not trusted. However, if a user looks closely, they may see a warning that the software is for 'entertainment use only'.

Lack of supervision and permission.

According to research published in the Journal of the American Society of Hypertension, only 3% of the top 107 applications identified using the terms 'hypertension' and 'hypertension' are produced by health care organizations. Although 14% of applications to detect blood pressure can be converted into a medical device, none have been authorized by the FDA. According to the study authors, such applications demonstrate the 'increased need for increased control and regulation in medical app development'.

When using mobile health applications, it is important to use discretion and common sense and your patient base should be aware of this. Make sure they read any privacy rules to understand how their data is handled and whether the app is authorized or regulated by the FDA. If there is any denial of the app, encourage them to read it to see if it is for entertainment or even for entertainment purposes only.

Finally, you have no control over what your patients see on their phones, but you can advise them to treat any health information obtained through these applications with caution and skepticism.