Health informatics involves the use of information technology and systems to deliver healthcare. Mobile health or mHealth uses mobile devices to improve health outcomes through platforms like mobile apps and sensors. Telemedicine uses technology to provide remote healthcare services and overcome geographical barriers. Consumers are increasingly using mobile apps, fitness trackers, and online resources for health information. However, challenges include issues with costs, privacy, user-friendliness, and low health literacy.

1. Title
Carolina First Steering Committee
October 9, 2010
Health Informatics: Mobile Health, Telemedicine,
and the Consumer
Tara Bass, RN

2. Health Informatics
Health
Management
Technology
Health
Information
Health
Informatics

3. What Is Health Informatics?
 The U.S. National Library of Medicine
defines health informatics as is the
interdisciplinary study of the design,
development, adoption, and application of IT-
based innovations in healthcare services
delivery, management, and planning
(http://www.himss.org)

4. What is Health Informatics
 Information Technology
 Information Systems
 Business
 Clinical Applications

5. Mobile Health (mHealth)
 mHealth is the use of mobile and wireless devices to improve health
outcomes, healthcare services and health research
(www.hrsa.gov/healthit/mhealth.html)
 Platforms for health interventions
 Virtual Visits
 Mobile Phone Apps
 Mobile Sensors (Dr. Robert Furberg)
 Fitbit/Trackers

6. Mobile Health (mHealth) Benefits
 Dr. Ryan Shaw of Duke University- More
individualized care
 Tracking symptoms of Chronic conditions
 Mobile glucose monitoring for diabetic patients.
 Text reminders
 Early disease diagnosis
 Weight Monitoring
 Fitness trackers
 Sleep trackers

7. Mobile Health (mHealth) Challenges
 Costs: Who will pay for the devices
 Government funding
 Qualification criteria
 Patient participation/compliance
 Offer Incentives
 User friendly applications
 Legal Implications
 Who will respond to critical data?
 If no response who is responsible?

8. Telemedicine/Telehealth
 Telemedicine- uses information and communication technologies to
overcome geographical barriers and increase access to remote healthcare
services
 Telehealth- use of information and communication technologies to
provide non clinical services. (https://www.healthit.gov )

9. Telehealth/Telemedicine Benefits
 Creates value for payers, patients, providers
 Increased patient access (Dr. Jennifer Radloff)
 Enhanced reach of healthcare services
 Reduced cost structure
 24/7 coverage
 Increased consumer satisfaction
(http://www.americantelemed.org)

10. Telehealth/Telemedicine Challenges
 Provider participation
 Patient compliance
 Lack of broadband communications
 Reimbursement

11. Consumer Use
 8-10 Americans online have searched for health
information. (Mastrain & McGonigle 2011)
 19 million actively use Fitbits or other trackers (Dr.
Furberg)

12. Types of Consumer Use
 Fit Bit Tracker
 Mobile Phone Apps
 Patient Portals
 Electronic Health Records (EHR)
 WebMD

13. Consumer Use Challenges
 Privacy/Security Concerns
 Lack of consumer trust
 Technology not user friendly
 No internet connection/Compatible device
 Low health literacy
(Shen and Siau, 2006)

14. References:
 Hartzler, A., & Wetter, T. (2014). Engaging Patients through
Mobile Phones: Demonstrator Services, Success Factors, and
Future Opportunities in Low and Middle-income
Countries. IMIA Yearbook of Medical Informatics, 182–194.
 Kumar, S., Nilsen, W. J., Abernethy, A., Atienza, A., Patrick, K.,
Pavel, M., … Swendeman, D. (2013). Mobile Health
Technology Evaluation: The mHealth Evidence
Workshop. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 45(2),
228–236. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2013.03.017
 McGonigle, D., & Mastrain, K. (2011). 20 Supporting Consumer
Information and Education Needs. Nursing Informatics and the
Foundation of Knowledge (pp. 353–365). Jones & Bartlett
Learning.

15. References:
 Siau, K., & Shen, Z. (2006). Mobile healthcare
informatics. Medical Informatics and the Internet in
Medicine, 31(2), 89–99.
 Manhattan Research, Cybercitizen Health® U.S. 2011
 http://www.mobihealthnews.com/content/hhs-report-outlines-
problems-potential-telemedicine
 https://www.healthit.gov
 http://www.himss.org
 www.hrsa.gov/healthit/mhealth.html