Mobile and app news in brief

This month’s mobile and app news in brief takes a look at AI, patient controlled records, and explores various health app comparison sites – an area NHS England is also getting into with its recently launched App Library.

PKB takes on London

Patients Know Best has announced 600,000 patient controlled records have been created in the country’s capital. Some 20 million pieces of clinical information have been shared from four London NHS trusts.

One of the most high profile PKB roll outs is at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which deployed the system in November 2016 and now has more than 900 active users. Outside of London, it was most recently implemented in the lung unit at Papworth Hospital in Cambridge.

Lancashire logs onto app comparison site

Thousands of people in Lancashire and South Cumbria are making use of ORCHA (the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Applications). More than 3,000 patients and about 50 GPs have been using the platform to compare different health apps. The site scores apps following a four-stage testing process.

Amanda Thornton, clinical director for Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, said the site “is a hugely exciting development for the people of Lancashire and South Cumbria as well as the clinicians who support them”.

“There is a huge choice out there, so ORCHA really helps people to understand which [apps] are the best and most trustworthy.”

MyTherappy leads the way for stroke and brain injury apps

It seems app review sites are popular all over, with MyTherappy specialising in apps for rehabilitation after a stroke or brain injury. Coming out of Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, the site details the app’s costs, clinician rating, user rating, app description, user feedback and what it can help with.

Ruth Siewruk, advanced practitioner occupational therapist for neuro and stroke and also the clinical lead for the project, said: “We can see the potential health apps offer but want to ensure patients are using the right apps”.

“We want to empower patients to manage their health in the way that is right for them, and this website helps those who are recovering from a stroke or brain injury to do exactly that.”

British cynicism on AI is world leading

A survey of over 11,000 people from 12 countries has found UK citizens are the most sceptical of artificial intelligence and robotics in healthcare. Research by PwC found  39% of UK patients are willing to engage with AI and robotics, in comparison to Nigeria where 94% of patients are willing.

The UK results also had a gender split with 47% of men more willing to engage with the new technology, in contrast to 32% of the women questioned.

The report ‘What doctor? Why AI and robotics will define New Health’ surveyed people living in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.