Health apps are application programs that offer health-related services for smartphones and tablet PCs. Apps have become a convenient way to provide health information and communication services directly in the hands of clinicians and consumers. Apps can be used to support consumers in a variety of health tasks to manage chronic diseases, support lifestyle changes and in self-diagnosis. While the use of apps in healthcare can bring many benefits, poor quality information and gaps in software functionality can pose new risks to patient safety. Previous issue included apps being accused of leaking the personal details of users. Security Today stated that 30 popular mobile healthcare apps were tested.

80% of Healthcare Apps Don’t Meet NHS standards. The apps are judges on the basis of security updates, awareness of regulatory requirements and medical information. The health app evaluation company said that there are more than 300,000 healthcare apps that are available online. This is a serious matter since most people are relying on these platforms since they can’t see a doctor immediately because of the restrictions implemented by governments during the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.

While the use of apps in healthcare can bring many benefits, poor quality information and gaps in software functionality can pose new risks to patient safety.

A firm has reviewed around 5,000 apps, with most of them providing poor information. Here are some of them;

• An app to help smokers quit, which had not had security updates in more than two years
• A physiotherapy app offering exercise plans without any visible input from professionals
• A diabetes management app offering complex medical support without any back-up from experts

“Innovators can get a bad reputation and that can be unfair,” said Liz Ashall-Payne via BBC News.