Health baggage, mobile health for European citizens

Abstract

Mobile technology is evolving exponentially and the number of mobile devices around the world is growing too. This is a market that currently does not seem to have expiration date. Company's device manufacturers are competing in a scenario where investments are very high. Alongside, every day more software development companies are trying to seize the moment in which we are. As of today, the Android app store (Google Play) has more than 700,000 applications available. Nowadays, everything has revolved around and its wide range of possibilities. Meanwhile, the number of "digital illiterates" decreases. The new generations are the main technology users, people who have grown up with an intelligent terminal already in their hands. One of the industries that are leveraging these opportunities better is the health-related sector. Technology allows speed up processes, save resources and most importantly of all, improves and makes life easier for people who are suffering any alteration in their welfare. Currently, patients with complex diseases are well known by their medical professionals who make the periodic monitoring. The problem becomes when for any reason, a patient leaves the circle of the medical team that is following him for example in a holiday period. If any problem arises, patient will go to the area reference medical centre and is very possible that, as he isn't a medical professional, will not be able to explain in detail about his status, limitations, incompatibilities related to medications, his medical history... In that point is where the goal of this Master Thesis is focused: Develop an application that allows to any patient and their families take out the relevant information about the health status in their mobile devices. The application is able to work even in environments where there is no mobile network and provides the necessary security to ensure that their patients data are safe.