Report: Global Outlook on Patient Privacy in Mobile Health

As mHealth expands rapidly around the world, complex issues related to patient privacy become challenging for organizations developing mHealth delivery models. Here is a new report generated through a collaborative effort that addresses patient privacy issues around the world:

First-of-its-kind Report Provides Global Outlook on Patient Privacy in Mobile Health

New report offers global legislation, regulation landscape, seven country case studies, framework for addressing security and privacy issues related to mobile health

Washington, D.C. (June 25, 2013) – A new report released today on “Patient Privacy in a Mobile World” offers a comprehensive global review of privacy and security policies in the field of mobile health (mHealth). Led by the mHealth Alliance, the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Merck, and Baker & McKenzie, the research also provides recommendations for ensuring the security of health data that is collected and transmitted over mobile devices.

Governments frequently cite concerns related to data privacy and security, and the protection of individual health information, as key barriers to the expansion of mHealth. This research aims to provide policymakers, mHealth practitioners, and governments with a privacy law framework that can be tailored to different cultures, environments, and scenarios to maximize patient control and autonomy over mHealth data.

“Mobile health has the potential to improve health and well-being on a global scale, and this research now provides important guidance as to how this can be achieved while still protecting patient privacy,” said Roy Birnbaum, Counsel in Merck’s International Law department and coordinator of Merck’s international pro bono program.

Mobile Application for Diabetes from Vree

November is American Diabetes Month. This month, you can refer your patients to the Mobile Application for Diabetes from Vree.

The Mobile Application for Diabetes from Vree gives your patients a full suite of useful tools in one easy-to-access location. These tools can help your patients better manage their diabetes and gain the confidence to make healthy, lasting changes in their lives.

FEATURES of Vree for Diabetes include:
• Diabetes Education – Understand type 2 diabetes and the steps you can take to manage it through a series of comprehensive, interactive lessons. Topics include blood glucose monitoring, healthy eating, weight loss, and exercise.
• Blood Glucose Tracking – Receive reminders for checking your blood glucose levels as well as reports on your progress.
• Nutrition Tracking – Make informed meal choices and count calories and carbohydrates with confidence. Vree for Diabetes calculates the nutritional information for any food item that you select. The optional meal reminder prompts you to eat your meals at regular times and records when and which foods you eat. You can work with your health care professionals to set daily caloric intake goals and monitor your progress at each meal to stay on track.
• Activity Tracking – Record your physical activity and consider some simple ways that you can become more active. Set reminders and track your progress!
• Medication Tracking – Identify the medications you are taking, set reminders, and record when you take your medications.
• Progress Charts – Easily track and evaluate your progress. Review the reports with your health care professionals to determine how to best manage your type 2 diabetes over time.
• Blood Pressure Tracking – Receive reminders to check your blood pressure and keep track of your progress.

More information.

Vree for Diabetes 2.0

Did you know that only about half of Americans with diabetes receive formal diabetes education? This makes diabetes self-management education essential in helping patients manage the condition.



Here's a recent press release about a new diabetes app from Merck:

Merck Launches New Mobile Application for People with Type 2 Diabetes, Now Available on the Apple Store®

Vree™ for Diabetes 2.0 Helps Patients Manage Their Condition and Facilitates Communication with Healthcare Providers

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., September 13, 2010-- Merck today announced the launch of a mobile application designed to be used by people with type 2 diabetes, physicians and diabetes educators to better understand and manage the disease. The application is now available on the Apple Store® Web site (iTunes.com, application program - search “Vree for Diabetes”) for download to an iPhone or iPod touch® mobile digital device.

The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook for iPhone and iPod touch

The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook is now available for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch. You can find them using iTunes. The Home Edition is only $9.99 but the Professional Edition of the Merck Manual is $29.99. It's great to see more medical apps (software) on the iPhone, but what about BlackBerry, webOS, and Android?

For more information, visit: http://agilepartners.com/apps/merckmanuals/