New insights into disease patterns can be mapped. The continuous possibility of measurement and analysis releases an enormous amount of data. This is potentially an incredibly large source for analyses to arrive at new medical insights.
The app increases the accessibility of care. Think for example of third world countries where access to care is not self-evident.
Medical concerns
Despite the great potential, the attitude from the medical world is mainly sceptical. This is confirmed by Herm Martens , dermatologist in training and co-founder of iHealth Innovations: “medical doctors aim to practice evidence-based medicine . This means that based on scientific research, it is decided what the best practice is for each case of illness. If new developments after research show that there are gains compared to the current system, implementation takes place. However, most of these apps are not properly subject to this principle. As a result, medical doctors are often sceptical and it hinders a good implementation of the application, despite the enormous potential”.
In addition, there is the problem of false negative or false positive test results. In the first variant, the app incorre list to data ctly indicates that a certain disease is not present. This creates a false sense of security that may delay the necessary medical help. In the second variant, the reverse is the case: the app incorrectly suggests that the user has a certain disease, which can be very psychologically stressful.
Given the great potential of the apps, it seems wise for the medical world to embrace the development. One possibility is to facilitate scientific research into the apps and to link a quality mark to it. By digging the canals yourself, the water is prevented from finding its own way.
Despite the current objections to self-diagnosis apps, their use will change the playing field between healthcare recipient and doctor.
Increasing pressure on primary care
A possible consequence of self-diagnosis apps is that the pressure on care will increase, especially at the front door (1st line). Because we always have access to the self-diagnosing apps, the step to perform a measurement is small, even if we feel great. This can reveal deviations that would otherwise not be detected. A deviation will often be a reason to call in a doctor.