MobiMethod

The healthcare and pharmaceutical industry has produced more success stories in mobile than perhaps any other sector over the past two years. Advancements in patient care, access to care giver information and mobile-enabled medication refills have become common stories of innovation and achievement. But, despite the advancements over the past few years, the industry has continually faced one key issue: the reduction of staff and operating expenses. Fortunately, this is a challenge that mobile is uniquely qualified to solve. 

With a bevy of technology choices facing professionals in the healthcare and bio/pharma markets, choosing the right set of mobile tactics can almost seem daunting. Layer in the nascency of the mobile channel and it can almost seem more like placing a bet than making an investment. But, despite the advent of so many new mobile technologies, it is simple SMS that’s creating the most impact.

In Haiti, SMS technology is being used in combination with Near Field Communication (NFC) services to provide cleaner drinking water for rural areas. In Jordan, mothers can text their ailing baby’s symptoms to a government shortcode and get an audio message (many women are illiterate in this region) back from a doctor with recommendations and next steps. And at Mount Sinai Hospital, in an effort to better adhere to their specific medical regimen, new liver transplant recipients can access an SMS program called CareSpeak, alerting both patient and caregiver when medication is required.

These examples are all high-impact, low-cost initiatives that exemplify the difference that a well-planned mobile program can make. Perhaps the largest benefit of these mobile programs is their relative ease of setting up and low monthly operating costs, as the majority of these solutions are automated. Add to that the overall large adoption of the SMS channel in the U.S., and it becomes clear how these programs can work on a large scale. SMS, in all of its forms, e.g., text alerts, patient polling, keyword databases etc., are exactly how companies in this sector can differentiate themselves, while still adhering to their larger organizational goal of reducing costs.

Source: Courtesy of iLoop Mobile