Apple is getting ready to launch a service to connect patients with doctors

Aug 12, 2014 16:42 GMT  ·  By

The Health app that will be included in iOS 8 is Apple's latest effort to connect patients and doctors. The app will collect the information via a multitude of sensors, and it will then be able to provide the information to the doctor treating the patient. 

 
Apple says the Health app is going to be a new way to use your health and fitness info because it will give you an easy-to-read dashboard. Developers can benefit from the new HealthKit – a tool designed to work together with the health and fitness apps and devices. Therefore, providing the answer to the question "How are you?" will be much more accurate. 
 
The Health app will measure and track changes for heart rate, burned calories, blood sugar, cholesterol. Everything will go in one place and you can have a clear view of your patterns. The user will also be able to create a so-called emergency card with important health-related info. For example, you can add your blood type, allergies, and everything is available on the Lock Screen in case of an emergency. The same card can have medical notes and info about the medication you are on. 
 
Apple says their HealthKit can be included into any app or device. For example, you could be sharing your blood pressure with your doctor automatically or see how many calories you intake every day. 
 
According to Reuters, Apple's plans to link the patients and doctors may be more difficult than they have thought it would be. Apple believes that the way this should work is through hospitals and clinics, which should create their own apps and integrate them with Healthkit. The problem is that many of the systems in place already are a decade old and are regulated by a web of privacy requirements. 
 
Reuters has discussed this with representatives from a few clinics around the US. Some declined to comment or said they did not have anything to share at this moment, others have explained how their budgets are tied and they are trying to save time and resources. 
 
Another route Apple is exploring is linking consumer products into this app. Hardware developers from popular fitness and medal apps are the ones that can include these APIs as an alternative. Ultimately, the user is in control of what he wants to share, especially since they are talking about private, sensitive info that will eventually be available in the cloud and online.