Mobile health and apps news in brief
This month's round-up from the world of healthcare apps and disruptive technologies includes news about an NHS Trust app to support people after lung surgery, a gaming app to help people quit smoking, and a Manchester project to find public uses for the Internet of Things.
Heart of England app to support surgery rehab
Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust has developed a smartphone app to support people after lung surgery. The Fit for Surgery app provides patients with details on the trust’s Rehabilitation for Operated Lung Cancer programme, which consists of exercise training, self-management education, nutritional and smoking cessation support. It also has a Bluetooth-enabled Pulse Oximeter which provides the patient with feedback on their heart rate and oxygen saturation levels. The app will be trialled in 50 patients before it is rolled out.
Gaming app to help people quit smoking
A new mobile gaming app is being developed to deliver personalised behavioural support to help people quit smoking. The app, which is being developed by students at Imperial College London, uses common game elements, such as achievements for reaching personal targets, to motivate users. The researchers say that in tests, the fun and motivational aspects of the games increased engagement with the app.
Medelinked joins Samsung’s S Health platform
The personal health record Medelinked is now available as part of Samsung’s S Health platform on Android devices. S Health is a fitness and health tracker that connects with wearable devices and other apps from the like of Cigna and Nike. Users of the services can now access Medelinked, which enables individuals to record a range of medical details including allergies, conditions, immunisations, medications and tests.
AstraZeneca uses mobile app in cancer trial
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is using a mobile app as part of a clinical trial to test a drug regimen for ovarian cancer. The company has worked with the National Cancer Institute of the US and software firm Voluntis on the tool, which links to a web portal so that clinicians and patients can manage side effects of hypertension and diarrhoea that are associated with the use of the drug combination of cediranib and olaparib.
Manchester gets £10m to fund Internet of Things
Manchester has beaten 22 other cities to win a £10 million government fund to test smart technology that uses the Internet of Things. The city’s plans include adding data analysis sensors to street furniture and infrastructure to monitor air quality, with this information passed to those with health conditions. There are also plans to help people monitor their own health to help avoid preventable illnesses.
GSK to develop asthma inhaler sensor
GlaxoSmithKline is working with Propeller Health to develop a sensor for its Ellipta inhaler to automatically record its usage. The initial plan is to develop a sensor for use in GSK’s clinical studies involving people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. It is hoped the technology will allow greater insights into patients’ adherence to medications. GSK has an option to negotiate exclusive commercialisation rights to the sensor if it proves successful.
MyHealth app wins digital award
Health insurance firm AXA PPP’s MyHealth app has won ‘Best app/mobile-first strategy’ at the UK Digital Experience Awards. The app allows members to send claims online and to secure confirmation for treatment for certain conditions. Users can also upload claims documents and submit queries about claims.
