When people refer to technology in the field of healthcare, it is pertinent to note that it is not restricted to machinery and equipment for the purposes of treatment, diagnosis, and data collection, but also extends to smartphones as well. In its comments about the role of technology within the field of health care, the World Health Assembly opined that it is “indispensable for effective and efficient prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of diseases.” The fact that smartphones are now available amongst the majority of society makes them an effective method of dispensing critical information, as well as a tool to contact emergency services, and makes oneself better-equipped to have answers. Listed below are a few ways in which smartphones can actually benefit one’s health, if used well and wisely.

• Social networking
  An emerging trend in healthcare is doctors taking appointments via communication over social networking sites. It makes it easier and faster for them to provide consultancy services via the phone rather than in person. Now, there exist apps which form a centralized platform where a patient can list out his or her grievances and then be directly put in touch with a specialist (for example a urologist or an ophthalmologist) who will either chat with the patient or discuss his or her problems over call and recommend medication for treatment. It is even possible now to make video calls for when face-to-face interaction is necessary.
• Apps for specific situations
  This is not a reiteration of all the apps that can help a person with their diet, exercise, and mental health. Almost everyone is aware of the existence of these apps. Attention is drawn here to those applications that are designed to treat specific medical conditions. For example, iWander is an app that was designed specifically to help Alzheimer’s patients. It is a discrete monitoring device in a watch that is able to provide several different courses of action as and when required. These could be anything from directing the patient home to performing a group call to emergency services and the caregiver.
• Having medicines delivered at the doorstep of the patient
  Smartphone technology has now made it possible via apps for people to order medicine online, making them a huge benefit to individuals with chronic health concerns. This eases the situation for patients who need medication but cannot get into touch with anyone who can get it for them and are unable to venture outside to the drugstore themselves.
• Determining whether these apps are trustworthy
  It is not to say that the use of smartphones in the field of healthcare does not face its own set of problems, the primary one being whether these apps are safe and worthy of being used. There is no binary answer to that. However, a person can measure it by way of two-fold criteria, Firstly, the history of the developer of the app. Secondly, whether the app has the approval of the Food and Drug Administration. Being aware of these helps one make a more informed decision on whether to use a health-centric app or not.