Apple HealthKit app facilitates doctor-patient communication

(HealthDay)—The latest version of Apple's operating system iOS 8 allows physicians to connect with patients in many ways using the HealthKit app that collects user health and fitness data, according to an article published in Medical Economics.

Mobile apps that doctors can use to help with practice management include MyFitnessPal, a calorie counter that synchronizes with HealthKit and communicates with other apps to help users with their dieting goals. In addition, the drchrono EHR app is rated as the number one mobile electronic health record system, and uses HealthKit data to update patient health records.

Other apps include Centered, which uses HealthKit to count users' steps and suggests meditation programs, and AskMD, which populates health advice and offers diagnoses based on data from HealthKit, and also helps patients to find physicians covered by their health plan and organize information to bring to visits. HealthLoop allows patients to check in with heath care providers between doctor visits, and Patient IO provides secure instant messaging between physicians and their patients. Other apps allow communication with specific clinics such as the Mayo Clinic.

"HealthKit has allowed many existing mobile apps to become more robust by offering detailed health and wellness information for users who want to take more control over their health," according to the article.