What does the post-PC, smartphone-era mean for health and social care providers? We set out the key trends driving the development of psMOBILE and our Mobile-Software-as-a-Service (MSaaS).
Tablets will rule the world…
Pundits now report that more tablets are sold than laptops and notebooks (the largest PC segment). This year over 200 million tablets are expected to be shipped according to estimates by Gartner, the research firm. Pretty amazing bearing in mind that the first iPad was launched 3 ½ years ago. Tablets are available in every price range from the iPad at £500 to low-cost tablets starting at £100.
Smartphones will rule the word…
Smartphone usage is exploding. We are now at the point when more people access the internet using a mobile phone than using a traditional PC. Improved connectivity with 3G and 4G means that the user experience has improved dramatically over the last 3 to years. In the UK 7 of 10 adults have a smartphone.
Until a few years ago, the mobile phone race looked to create ever smaller phones, however, with increasing connectivity and new apps we are using the phone differently. It is becoming a medium to consume content and bigger screens are better.
…no….Phablets will rule the world
Enter the combination of a phone and the table – the phablet. Depending on your preference, it is either a smartphone with a large screen or a smallish tablet with a mobile phone connection. Typical screen size is 5 to 8 inches (the iPhone 4 screen is 3.5 inches).
In our view, the phablet is the future for people working in the field: Small and light enough to carry around, but with a screen big enough to actually view medical records, take notes and display travel directions.
The healthcare challenge: Offline Access & Security
The delivery of health and social care is, and will continue to be, a key benefactor of the rapid development of smartphones and phablets. However, the sector has potentially one unique challenge: the need to provide nurses and care workers in the field with offline access to medical records. This in turn brings with it a range of security and data management issues.
Do you really need offline access? Yes, this is ultimately about patient safety. A nurse visiting a frail patient has access to that person’s summary health record (think for example notes on drug allergies) and emergency contacts.
psMOBILE
psHEALTH is the UK’s leading provider of secure mobile solutions for health and social care. Our vision is to help providers leverage existing infrastructure (e.g. an old patient administration system) and mobilise staff quickly and cost-effectively.
Contact us on info@pshealth.co.uk, call us on 0845 50 50 120 or download the psMOBILE fact sheet.