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Smartphones and Mobile Health Apps Regarded as Essential to Medical Practice
Mobile technology is now mainstream in healthcare. More than 80 percent of physicians are now using smartphones, and of those, almost 90 percent use them at least once daily for professional purposes, according to the recent study from Manhattan Research. But it's not just the smartphones themselves—it's what's on them. Physicians are frequently turning to drug and clinical reference apps on their mobile devices during patient consultations to access critical drug information, to ensure safer, more accurate patient care and to help identify more affordable prescription options. The study found Epocrates to be the most utilized mobile drug app—with more than 80 percent of physician smartphone owners using it an average of 12 times per week.
Contact pr@epocrates.com for additional information about this mobile trend or to speak with a physician.
Pharmaceutical Companies Embracing Digital Tools for More Effective Marketing to Physicians
The pharmaceutical industry has changed quite a bit since the 1990s – physicians are obtaining some of the information and services through new digital channels that previously only pharmaceutical sales representatives provided. However, pharmaceutical companies acknowledge the need to communicate with physicians in a meaningful way, and are leveraging digital tools and services, such as Epocrates. But when pharma marketers are considering the ever-increasing digital world of healthcare, they need to remember two key themes:
- Effective marketing messages need to be targeted, personalized and delivered through more than one communications channel.
- Pharmaceutical companies can better reach physicians by partnering with organizations with an established mobile presence and already reach providers through a reliable channel.
For more information about the use of mobile technology in pharma marketing, contact pr@epocrates.com.
Looking Beyond Meaningful Use Requirements to Impact Patient Care
The meaningful use of health IT requirements outlined by CMS are an essential first step for U.S. healthcare, but the medical community and government need to look beyond the rules. Ultimately, the success of electronic health records (EHRs) will not revolve around the definition of meaningful use. It will come down to how easy it is for physicians to use an EHR, and how easy it is for small practices to implement and show meaningful use of health IT. To date, the focus has been on the rules and the $44,000 provider incentive. But usability is what will drive adoption across the industry, from the smallest practices to the largest hospital networks. Technology companies have the responsibility to deliver a solution that integrates into a physician's daily workflow, beyond something that only helps them check off the boxes to achieve meaningful use Phase 1.
To find out more about Epocrates' perspective on how meaningful use of health IT and usability will impact patient care, contact pr@epocrates.com.
Doctors Use Mobile Technology to Identify Cost-Effective Options for Patients
As the U.S. continues to struggle economically, patients are finding ways to cut corners with their medical care. In late 2010, Consumer Reports surveyed more than 1,000 adults who take prescription drugs and found that 23 percent have postponed doctor visits, 16 percent have refused to fill prescriptions, 12 percent have missed doses of medicine and 16 percent have declined medical tests due to cost concerns. These penny-pinching tactics could ultimately result in harm to the patient's health.
Patients should work with their physicians to identify a drug regimen that works for both the patient's health and wallet. Doctors can use Epocrates to check their patient's health plan for lower cost and generic drug options, and identify $4 generic drugs lists for various retail stores (i.e. Walmart, Target) on their iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry device. Epocrates is an easy, safe way to identify cost-effective prescription options.
To speak with a physician about helping patients save money on prescriptions, contact pr@epocrates.com.
Epocrates Tops Smartphone Medical Apps Lists
Healthcare professionals are rapidly adopting smartphones for both personal and professional use. The iPhone and BlackBerry smartphone devices have many free and paid applications available for download to support day-to-day activities. Epocrates consistently tops the list as the preferred medical reference for healthcare professionals with convenient access to drug information – dosing, interactions, health plan coverage and much more.
Using Technology to Support, Not Disrupt Patient Care
As computers become a staple in exams rooms, patient communication and etiquette are essential to enhancing the quality and satisfaction of care. Physicians calling on a computer resource during a consultation may consider the following tips from Epocrates’ Senior Medical Editor and internist, Dr. Anne Meneghetti:
- Arrange monitors and devices to minimize physical and perceived barriers between you and patients
- Communicate the purpose for using electronics (“I’m checking your insurance coverage”)
- Invite patients to directly view displayed information that might give insight into their condition or care. Print out available patient education.
- Ask patients to “brown bag it” once a year, filling a bag with current prescription and OTC medications, herbs and supplements to identify any potential drug interactions
Contact pr@epocrates.com for more information.