Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Opportunities for pharmacists in mobile health

2013; Oxford University Press; Volume: 70; Issue: 15 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2146/ajhp120657

1535-2900

Kevin A. Clauson, Shara Elrod, Brent I. Fox, Zaher Hajar, Joan Dzenowagis,

Medication Adherence and Compliance

Mobile health (mHealth) can be defined as the use of mobile devices and global networks to deliver health services and information. Mobile devices most commonly include cell phones (i.e., feature phones and smartphones) and tablets (e.g., iPad, Surface). However, these devices can also come in the form of wireless-enabled medicine vials1 and glucometers,2,3 Bluetooth sensors linked to pacemakers,4 smart pills5 and bottles,6 and even mundane items like USB flash drives. mHealth, as a means to positively affect health outcomes, has generated interest from federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.7 Similarly, the World Health Organization recently published a report on mHealth that reflected a global “groundswell of activity.”8 Importantly, mHealth has also attracted attention from the financial sector; this is apparent based on the 2010 mHealth Summit garnering keynote presentations from two billionaires.9 However, while many current and proposed initiatives in mHealth have a medication management element, pharmacists have not commonly been featured in them thus far. Despite this, excellent opportunities exist for pharmacists to contribute to the mHealth arena as pharmacotherapy experts.10 The purpose of this article is to provide an introduction to mHealth for pharmacists. It also details some of the opportunities and challenges within mHealth specific to pharmacists.