UPDATED 11/9/18
Back in 2015, we attended the HIMSS 15 Annual Conference in Chicago where providers, practitioners and other healthcare professionals convened to discuss the latest in mobile health IT. With topics ranging from the secure transfer of healthcare data to standards-based interoperability, attendees from healthcare organizations shared how health IT can improve patient outcomes and drive new organizational efficiencies.
One key topic, both at the conference and in the healthcare industry at large, is mobile health IT. For a second straight year, Axway conducted a survey of various attendees including healthcare providers, insurance companies, pharmacy representatives and more to determine the state of mobile health, including challenges, drivers and current levels of adoption.
Results of mobile health IT
The majority of survey respondents cited successfully delivering mobile health technologies as the most challenging IT issues. This represents a change from when respondents reported that the integration of disparate health IT systems. Following mobile health in difficulty was the exchange of healthcare information across organizations. The shift shows organizations are struggling with IT and data governance policies. This makes it difficult to adapt to the digital health model.
Uncover the benefits
With mobile health being ranked as the most challenging health IT issue, we looked to uncover the benefits that are driving the adoption of these mobile health services. Improved quality of care was ranked as the most important driver when respondents ranked the improved access to health care information as the most significant benefit.
Surprisingly, the majority of surveyed professionals stated their organization does not currently offer mobile health solutions. The greatest barrier to adoption? Respondents cited integration of mobile health data with current systems and EHR. Coming in second was the interoperability between EHR and mobile devices to update medical records.
Survey says…
For a second straight year, the survey showed that most healthcare professionals believe widespread adoption of mobile health capabilities to be one to three years away. Interestingly, the next closest response was three to five years away.
The benefits of mobile health are apparent; however, despite the promise in improving patient care, it is clear that many organizations are not yet equipped to be able to deliver on this promise. At Axway, we are working with healthcare organizations to prepare for new technologies, including mobile. This will continue to grow in importance and influence.
Learn more about healthcare solutions here.