mHealth initiatives popular but few have driver, strategy
Despite a lack of clear strategy, most healthcare organizations are proceeding with a mobile health (mHealth) initiative, according to survey results from health IT consulting firm, Medullan.
Surveying 106 healthcare providers, insurers and other healthcare organizations from April to July, Medullan found that “no driver” was the top answer across all respondents when asked for the top driver for the organization’s mHealth initiative. Twenty-four percent of organizations are pursuing an mHealth initiative without a specific driver.
Among the 76 percent of respondents with a driver, the top answer was increased member/customer/patient engagement followed by pressure to compete with other organizations.
The number one barrier to achieving mHealth objectives is no clear strategy or objective followed closely by lack of leadership for the initiative, according to the survey.
Results differed by organization type and size. For instance, no healthcare plans selected no driver but chose cost savings as their top driver. And, companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, responded that cost savings and improved health outcomes were their top drivers.
"We were surprised that so many organizations would undertake mHealth initiatives without a clear driver," said Ahmed Albaiti, CEO of Medullan. "While we believe strongly in the value of mHealth initiatives, no driver and no objectives is a recipe for disaster. The overall impression we got from the survey results is that there is a lot of activity around mHealth but many companies are spinning their wheels and need some focus."
Surveying 106 healthcare providers, insurers and other healthcare organizations from April to July, Medullan found that “no driver” was the top answer across all respondents when asked for the top driver for the organization’s mHealth initiative. Twenty-four percent of organizations are pursuing an mHealth initiative without a specific driver.
Among the 76 percent of respondents with a driver, the top answer was increased member/customer/patient engagement followed by pressure to compete with other organizations.
The number one barrier to achieving mHealth objectives is no clear strategy or objective followed closely by lack of leadership for the initiative, according to the survey.
Results differed by organization type and size. For instance, no healthcare plans selected no driver but chose cost savings as their top driver. And, companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, responded that cost savings and improved health outcomes were their top drivers.
"We were surprised that so many organizations would undertake mHealth initiatives without a clear driver," said Ahmed Albaiti, CEO of Medullan. "While we believe strongly in the value of mHealth initiatives, no driver and no objectives is a recipe for disaster. The overall impression we got from the survey results is that there is a lot of activity around mHealth but many companies are spinning their wheels and need some focus."