What is the current situation of mHealth in Catalonia? Results of the mHealth Section in the Trend Map.

As revealed by the recent Trend Map, most providers interviewed (80%) recognise the potential advantages of using mobile technology. However, fewer use them corporately (only 10% of interviewees state they have health apps for citizens). For example, some apps geo-localise health centres, arrange visits with health professionals and let users consult waiting times for emergency services in real time.

Hurdles for Adopting mHealth. Number of SISCAT Providers

Despite the interest of health centres in providing this type of service to citizens, the results show that it will be necessary to overcome hurdles to adopt these technologies: developing them has a high cost; and there are difficulties associated with integrating patient-generated data in information systems (which means that only large organisations with high economic resources can do so). However, potentially excessive control of patients and lack of knowledge about legal risks are not perceived as deterrents.

Citizens, provided with tools that have high empowering ability, do not only use them to manage their health with health care centres, but they also show an interest in actively monitoring their own illnesses to improve their quality of life. Trends indicate that using applied artificial intelligence in mobile technology will become one of the most ground-breaking technologies in health in the coming years. The Trend Map needs to monitor these changes so that health care providers have the necessary tools available to address them.