Exco InTouch Predict Huge Increase in Full-Scale mHealth Programs in 2015

Exco InTouch, the leading provider of digital patient engagement and data capture solutions for clinical research and healthcare providers, predict that 2015 will see a significant shift from piloting mHealth programs through to full-scale implementation. The new trend towards scale up and rising demand for multinational patient support services is driven by increased confidence in the proven capability of cross-border mHealth programs to deliver more cost effective care and to significantly improve healthcare outcomes. 

The market is consequently moving away from pilots and is set for a massive shift towards full-scale mHealth programs. However, delivering them presents unique challenges which must be addressed. The multitude of varying and complex regulations and differing patient requirements for the precise form of mobile and digital technology to be applied requires providers to be highly adaptable, and to have strong regional knowledge. Exco InTouch have led the drive to overcome these challenges by developing efficient frameworks and detailed action plans that leverage advanced systems, technology and knowledge to enable full-scale implementation of cross-border mHealth solutions.

Bringing mHealth solutions from pilots to full-scale programs requires taking a number of key considerations into account, including the background architecture of a potential program, such as regional settings and date formats, as well as the operational and technology considerations, such as ensuring that correct mechanisms are in place to handle cross-border data, building robust support mechanisms in at program source and ensuring multi-threading and asynchronous processing. In adddition, scaling up mHealth programs requires the ability to monitor and identify system bottlenecks and planning for infrastructure to manage increased capacity. Finally, when planning for a cross-border implementation, it is vital to remember that patients need to be kept central to all design decisions.

Regulatory compliance and knowledge is aiding the scale up of cross-border mHealth programs. Providers are increasingly able to build different data protection requirements across multiple geographies into mHealth solutions at source. Exco InTouch, for example, has emerged as the only mHealth solutions provider to comply with HIPAA, Safe Harbor and EU Data Protection Regulations, which are required in the cross-border implementation.   

Dr Chris Watson, Product Manager at Exco InTouch commented: "Full-scale cross-border mHealth solutions will expand significantly as the capability for carrying them out with great effectiveness is becoming massively enhanced.

He continued: “Pilot projects have been crucial to hone the technology and comply with different regulations encountered, but the essential requirements and conditions are now in place for the industry to confidently scale-up to full scale mHealth programs.

Tim Davis, CEO and Founder of Exco InTouch commented: “We have seen forward thinking providers become more flexible, responsive and confident towards rolling mHealth programs across borders. The results speak for themselves and the proven capability of leading mHealth providers to overcome industry challenges, combined with the scale of their proven ability to enhance cost effectiveness whilst improving patient outcomes, is driving demand for such programs from both patients and sponsors. Consequently, the next 12 months will be the time when mHealth finally breaks free and spans the world to improve health outcomes on a global scale.”