ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of how mobile devices are currently used in healthcare applications by patients and providers and what the near-term potential is. It identifies the leading factors driving greater adoption of mobile devices and how the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeks to regulate their use in clinical applications. A study presented to the American Heart Association found that obese and overweight patients who used an electronic logging system that was set up to provide personal feedback based on their goals were more likely to lose weight compared to control groups that used a paper log or an electronic log without feedback. Glucometer apps collect blood glucose readings and caloric intake to help diabetic patients manage their pre-meal insulin doses and track their overall blood glucose levels. The wireless sensor’s main goal is to provide biofeedback in real time of the person’s physiologic data, such as heart rate, blood glucose, and movement.
