Are you ready to apply apps to health?

摘要

A WOMAN faints in your pharmacy. Would looking at her mobile phone for an "In case of emergency" app cross your mind?The significant number of people owning smartphones or tablet devices has led to an increase in the number of medical apps (mobile applications) available, aimed at healthcare professionals and patients.Apps are software applications designed to run on smartphones and tablet computers, although some can also be downloaded to run on desktop computers. They are usually downloaded from the platform of the target device, for example, the Apple App Store for the iPhone and iPod Touch, Blackberry App World for Blackberry devices and Google Play for Android devices. Some apps are free (eg, "RxmindMe", which reminds patients to take their medicines). Others cost a few pence (eg, "Instant heart rate" by Azumio, ￡0.69, which uses the device's camera to detect pulse in a fingertip) or pounds (eg, British National Formulary 63, ￡29.99).