New apps to help doctors offer healthcare services beyond clinics

From this month, patients in Singapore will be the first in the world to use new secured mobile clinic applications on their smartphones.

Screen grab of the Heartsmart app, which enables patients to connect with doctors on a secured messaging platform. (Photo: Borderlesshealthlab)

SINGAPORE: Patients in Singapore can soon connect directly with their doctors on cardiac and ageing issues through smartphones and tablets.

Several paid mobile apps, which cost US$49.49 a month, were unveiled on Monday during World Health Day to allow healthcare to be delivered without having to queue at clinics.

The Heartsmart app is one of three applications for patients to connect with doctors on a secured messaging platform.

Dr Tan Yong Seng, content developer of Heartsmart and Health Abacus, said: “For example, if a caregiver wants to learn more about chest pain, this app will bring her through the lecture about chest pain, so at least she gets to know a little bit more about different causes of chest pain and how and which type is related to the heart or not related to the heart.”

Health Abacus gives information on calculations such as blood sugar or cholesterol levels and Smart Ageing is an interactive app which ensures users understand the challenges in geriatric care.

The app offers 12 modules that cover topics like “Successful ageing”, “Nutrition – Myths and facts”, “Mental wellness as you age” and “Keeping bones strong”.

The apps – Smart Ageing, Heartsmart and Health Abacus – are delivered on a mobile app platform called “Borderless Clinic”.

However, app developers said the technology is not meant to replace seeing a doctor physically, especially for serious conditions.

Rather, the apps give patients informed insight into health complications.

The apps are developed by specialist doctors.

Dr Wei Siang Yu, founder of Borderless Healthcare Group, said: “People can go to the Internet and look for a lot of doctors, but you can’t really tell who the expert is. So in our criteria, in choosing the specialist, we are really looking for the top five percent of the experts. They already have good reputations, or low mortality rate or complication rate in their procedures before we list them as our partners.”

For a start, doctors will allocate time during the week at their clinics to chat with patients.

More professionals may come on board to assist, depending on demand.

By the end of the year, Borderless Clinic aims to have about 50 applications.

These applications will range from chronic disease, pain management, infertility and cancer so that patients will have some privacy when discussing their health issues.

The Smart Ageing and Heartsmart apps are available for download from April 7, while Health Abacus will be available by April 15.

Source CNA

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