Technology is constantly shaping medicine and has led to a number of innovations in the past decade. Systems ranging from electronic health records and sophisticated robotic surgical systems have been groundbreaking advancements in health care. But the emergence of mobile devices in the past few years has given rise to a fledgling branch of health-care technology called mobile health.
Mobile health, or mHealth, is a broad term that involves every aspect of the health-care system. For example, wireless specialists such as Qualcomm (QCOM +10.86%) and Verizon (VZ 0.48%) are making strides in this space with products that integrate devices managed by both patients and providers. Qualcomm, for instance, has developed the 2net hub through its division QualcommLife. This is a cloud-based device that facilitates the collection of biometric data for devices managed by both consumers and physicians. Verizon is another company that has a surprisingly large footprint in the health-care industry. Its health-care division is a multibillion-dollar business, and perhaps most surprisingly, the company has a chief medical officer who oversees the products and regulation associated with the development of these devices.
Wireless giants such as Qualcomm and Verizon, however, are just two examples of companies active in this space. Google's wearable technology Google Glass is rapidly becoming a device that has numerous medical applications. Pharmaceutical companies, such as Sanofi and Merck, are also using mobile games to enhance patient compliance, education, and awareness.
In the following video, analysts Rex Moore and Max Macaluso discuss this broad industry, examine how all of these players fit into mobile health, and share highlights from this year's mHealth Summit.
