Which of the following is NOT true about mobile health?
A. ?Health records are stored in the cloud.
B. ?The need for visits to the doctor’s office is increased.
C. ?Physicians can monitor patients using digital devices through the use of a smartphone.
D. ?Patients can receive text reminders to take medications
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: B. The need for visits to the doctor’s office is increased.
Explanation:
Mobile health, also known as mHealth, refers to the use of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and wearables to support medical and public health practices. It has transformed healthcare by making services more accessible and efficient, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Why B is NOT true:
One of the primary benefits of mobile health is that it reduces the need for in-person doctor visits. Through telemedicine, remote monitoring, and digital health apps, patients can manage their health conditions without frequent visits to a clinic or hospital. Features such as virtual consultations, mobile diagnostic tools, and AI-powered symptom checkers allow healthcare professionals to assess patients without physical appointments. Chronic disease management, such as monitoring blood sugar levels for diabetes patients or checking blood pressure remotely, also reduces the need for frequent hospital visits.
Why the other options are true:
- A. Health records are stored in the cloud.
✅ Many mobile health applications use cloud storage to securely store and retrieve electronic health records (EHRs). This allows doctors and patients to access medical history from any location. - C. Physicians can monitor patients using digital devices through the use of a smartphone.
✅ Wearable technology and smartphone-connected medical devices enable real-time health tracking. For example, heart rate monitors, glucose meters, and sleep trackers can send data to healthcare providers, allowing remote monitoring. - D. Patients can receive text reminders to take medications.
✅ Many mobile health platforms send automated text reminders to help patients adhere to their prescribed medication schedules, improving treatment effectiveness.
Thus, mobile health helps reduce, not increase, the need for doctor visits, making option B incorrect.