Experts in the field of medicine and technology bring research to a higher level by using a software that turns smartphones into helpful tools in health studies. By installing a particular Apple application, an iPhone can become a device that enables a doctor to regularly gather necessary information and medical condition from a patient over the internet.
Installed on the iPhones are software and built-in sensors that will gauge the medical indicators and conditions of the patients. The data will then be sent to the researchers for a series of assessments and examinations to develop the needed treatment to a particular disease.
Reports said that over 75,000 patients agreed to become a part of research programs being conducted to know more about certain diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s disease and heart ailments.
Scientists believe that this technological breakthrough will help medical researchers to reach a larger number of subjects from a wider area compared to the usual method of clinical studies. Dr. Michael McConnell, a cardiologist from Stanford University who uses an application in professional studies, also affirmed that a smartphone is a great platform for research as people tend to carry one most of the times. Some scientists also asserted that this will also reduce the cost of a research program.
However, some ethics experts reiterated that the privacy of the patients should be protected specifically the information being sent through the smarthphone. The research participants should also be asked relevant questions without resulting to their lack of interest on the study after sometime.
According to Apple Inc.’s Senior Vice President Jeff Williams, they would continue to develop more useful software and apps to help scientists in conducting further researches and studies.
Meanwhile, Google Inc. affirmed that they are also on the process of developing a wristband that can track the health condition of its user. This product, they said, is also intended to aid in medical researches.
