New Deloitte report highlights the four critical dimensions of effective mhealth that must be aligned in order for mhealth to reach its full potential.
The promise of mobile health (mHealth), the use of mobile devices to support the practice of medicine and public health, is profound but, as yet, unrealized, according to a new report from Deloitte Consulting.The report, “The Four Dimensions of Effective mHealth: People, Places, Payment and Purpose” discusses how mHealth strategies are not “one-size-fits-all.” and leveraging mHealth makes it possible to provide a more versatile and personalized approach to health care. However, in order for mHealth to reach its full potential, four critical dimensions must align:
1. People: Demographics
A nuanced understanding of demographics such as age, gender and income can point to technology preferences and help drive customization and targeting of users’ mHealth experiences.
2. Places: Local Infrastructure
The convergence of infrastructure needs (reliable local networks – cellular, broadband and wireless, download speeds and bandwidth capacity) and rapid technological development may be a tipping point for mHealth adoption.
3. Payment: Reimbursement and Regulatory
Value-based reforms are prompting health care organizations to 1) find more efficient ways to improve care while increasing quality; 2) expand care delivery outside the hospital and physician office; 3) facilitate patient-provider connectivity “anytime and anywhere”; and 4) increase patient engagement. Addressing privacy and security concerns, as well as reimbursement approaches and regulatory consistency across jurisdictions, should remove several existing barriers to adoption.
4. Purpose: Disease Dynamics
Fitness, wellness, care provision, disease management and complex case management can be supported by mHealth functionality, but the approach has to fit the condition.
The report written by Senior Advisor, Harry Greenspun,MD, Research Lead, Sherry Coughlin, and Research Manager, Christine Chang stress that providers, payers, and life sciences companies should consider each of the four dimensions of mHealth as they weigh market entry
For more information, download the full report here
