Digital Health: From Assumptions to Implementations

This extensively updated second edition describes the increasing use of digital health technologies. It reflects and describes the scenario that healthcare consumers and providers have realized the potential of digital health technologies in light of the recent global healthcare issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Smartphones have become a medical hub through which patients can connect with their medical practitioners and share their vital signs collected through wearables. Concurrently, consumer mobile health apps have shifted from providing generic functionalities to supporting specific diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer. Advancements in digital healthcare have also assisted clinicians, who have relied on artificial intelligence-based applications to support their decision-making. The extent to which digital health has advanced, and is being used by medical professionals and patients, is at the core of this book.

Digital Health: From Assumptions to Implementations addresses the emerging trends and enabling tools contributing to technological advances in 21st Century healthcare practice. These areas include generic topics such as mobile health and telemedicine, as well as specific concepts such as social media for health, wearables and quantified-self trends. Also covered are the psychological models leveraged in the design of solutions to persuade us to follow some recommended actions, the design and educational facets of the proposed innovations, as well as ethics, privacy, security and liability aspects influencing its acceptance. Furthermore, sections on economic aspects of the proposed innovations are included, analyzing the potential business models and entrepreneurship opportunities in the domain.