Patient-centered mobile apps for chronic disease management

We are in a digital age where knowledge is readily available more than ever before in history. Dynamic advances in information technology have brought about a fundamental redesign of health care processes based on its integration at all levels. Globally people are well connected with each other through phones (landline, mobiles etc), internet and other digital network that supports an easy transition from institution-centric to patient-centric health care. The web is flooded with numerous health and fitness applications (both proprietary and open source) that are easily downloadable and can be utilized to change the way an individual manages his / her health and disease problems. The study was based on a comprehensive literature review, review of m-health applications and requirements gathering using in-depth discussions with doctors involved in chronic disease management and few patients. Based on the inputs obtained a conceptual framework that highlights the essential design features of an application which would help in chronic disease management by the individuals, their providers and also alert stake holders during medical emergencies has been put forth.