VANTAGE Point

Summary

Mobile Medical Applications

September 2011

On July 19, the FDA released a set of proposed guidelines on the regulation of certain mobile medical applications. Under the draft regulations, only a small number of the apps available on the market would be covered by the draft guidelines. At present, the FDA is seeking to regulate only apps that meet certain criteria. One-third of respondents indicated that the position taken by the FDA puts too much regulation in place. With regard to specific use of apps in the healthcare community, respondents were most likely to report that their organization had developed apps for clinicians. These apps were most likely used to look up information, such as information on clinical guidelines or view patient information. With regard to consumer use, respondents were more likely to develop apps that allowed consumers to get medical information (i.e. identify a rash) or to be able to transmit information to clinicians.

Regulation of Mobile Medical Applications by FDA

While one-third of respondents believe that the level of regulation put forth by the FDA is excessive, more than 40 percent believe that this level of regulation is appropriate. Only six percent believe that additional regulation is necessary.
Too Much Regulation Appropriate Level of Regulation Too Little Regulation Other Don't Know
6% 3% 16% 34% 41%

Audiences for Which an App Has Been Developed

Nearly half of respondents noted that their organization has not developed an app for clinicians, patients or consumers. The audience for which companies were most likely to have developed an app is physicians, followed by non-physician clinicians.

Physicians Non-Physician Clinicians Patients Consumers Other None of the Above

2% 19% 18% 32%

39%

44%

Areas in Which Clinicians Use Apps

Approximately two-thirds of respondents noted that clinicians at their organization use apps to look up information, such as information on clinical guidelines. Half of respondents reported that clinicians use an app to view patient information. Respondents were least likely to note that they refer patients to use apps for health-related purposes.

Look Up Information View Patient Information Education/Training Purposes Clinical Notifications Tracking Worklists Collect Data at the Bed Side Monitor Data from Medical Devices Analysis of Patient Data Secure Communication Regarding Patients Refer Patients to Use Apps for Health Related Items Other Don't Work for Provider Organization

62% 49% 40% 37% 27% 25% 25% 24% 22% 15% 7% 17%

Areas in Which Organization Manufactures Apps for Consumers

More than half of the respondents in this sample noted that their organization did not manufacture apps for consumers. Those that did were most likely to develop apps that allowed consumers to get medical information (i.e. identify a rash) or to be able to transmit information to clinicians. Each was identified by approximately 20 percent of respondents.
To Get Medical Information To Transmit Information to Clinicians To Interact with Patient/Clinician For Tracking Purposes Other My Organization Doesn't Offer Apps
8% 55% 21% 20% 18% 16%

Vantage Point is a monthly publication of HIMSS, which surveys healthcare IT professionals on current industry trends. Editor: Jennifer Horowitz (jennifer.horowitz@himssanalytics.org), HIMSS, 230 E. Ohio, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611 312.664.4467 2011 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society

Note: Percents may not equal 100 due to rounding. Respondents had the opportunity to take the survey in August of 2011. Number of Respondents = 243 For more information, visit www.himss.org/vantagepoint.

Volume 10; Issue 1