Barriers hinder mobile health but rapid growth still expected

Mobile health holds promise for the future of healthcare delivery but lack of reimbursement and uncertainty about regulation and standards are hindering innovation in the industry, according to a new report from the Brookings Institute's Center for Technology Innovation.

The report analyzed the mobile health industries in China and the U.S. and found that both countries face similar healthcare challenges, such as aging populations, high rates of chronic disease and disparities in access to care, particularly in rural populations.

Researchers found the mobile health industry is projected to grow rapidly regardless of the obstacles with annual mobile health revenue expected to reach $23 billion globally by 2017. China and the U.S. are expected to be responsible for a combined one-third of the global market.

The report outlined several benefits to the greater adoption of mobile health, including:

• Boosting access to care in rural areas;
• Reducing inefficiencies and errors in prescriptions and medical tests;
• Aiding physicians in monitoring patients with chronic illnesses;
• Reminding patients about medication and appointments; and
• Improving health policy decisions by garnering more information on public health.

The researchers offered several recommendations to spur growth in the mobile health sector: policymakers should facilitate mobile health development by eliminating uncertainty in regulations and clarifying rules; public authorities should encourage the use of mobile health technology to boost consumer adoption; and regulators should bolster reimbursement policies for mobile health services and products.