i-Med: Serious apps for mobile healthcare

Recent developments in mobile phone technology are enabling phones with many of the characteristics of home computers, with the additional advantages of mobility and compact size. Internet and resource access can be achieved irrespective of location; and the increasing market of downloadable applications (apps) allows users to expand and tailor the functions their phone is capable of executing. Apps have become one of the leading incentives for consumers to purchase smartphones and range considerably in content, from gaming to health and lifestyle. Although health-related applications are presently available, most target general physical activity and few have been developed in collaboration with the knowledge and expertise of healthcare professionals (HCP). Consequently, the available apps are frequently limited both in terms of medical and/or therapeutic validity and breadth. By involving HCPs in the development of health apps, more effective and accessible healthcare aids could be made available through instant download to the public for both specific and general healthcare. This collaboration provides an economic approach to mass distribution of healthcare aids. It may be possible to convert the existing devices and infrastructure of telecommunications into new healthcare apparatus – apparatus that is able to provide mobile, accessible intervention and assistance in real-time.

The aim of the event is to unite industry, academic and healthcare sectors in discussion of healthcare apps for smartphones. The event will provide delegates with cross-sector networking opportunities and the potential for collaboration to exploit this promising technology.

Please follow the links for the event flyer and programme.

Please follow the links for speaker's presentations:

Professor Chris Eccleston - i-Med: Serious apps for mobile healthcare

Justin Paul - Remote carer mobile application

Graham Fisher - Selected R&D memes

David Tyas - Telehealth in practice: Challenges and opportunities

Guy Summers - Machine to machine for healthcare

A video of the event can be found on YouTube.