Scripps Physicians Make Case for Mobile Health in JAMA Article

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Wireless technology has the potential to transform health care by improving patient outcomes and lowering costs, but the path to that future remains uncertain, wrote three Scripps Clinic physicians in guest column in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).


“There is substantial enthusiasm for the concept of mobile health (mHealth),” said Eric Topol, MD; Steven Steinhubl, MD; and Evan Muse MD. “But there are multiple obstacles to the acceptance and widespread utilization of mHealth technologies.”


Dr. Topol is the chief academic officer of Scripps Health and the director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI), a research consortium led by Scripps that is focused on translating the latest wireless and genetic medical technologies into high-quality, cost-effective treatments for patients. Dr. Steinhubl is director of Scripps’ digital medicine program. Dr. Muse is a research fellow at STSI. All three are cardiologists.


For patients, mHealth technology could make health care more convenient, more engaging and more personalized, the authors wrote. For physicians, the technology could reduce the demand for their time, allowing them to focus more on the art of medicine.


“Much remains to be done to drive this transformation,” they said. “Most critically needed is real-world clinical trial evidence to provide a roadmap for implementation that confirms its benefits to consumers, clinicians and payers alike.”


Read the JAMA column: Can Mobile Health Technologies Transform Health Care?

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