In Mexico, mobile applications are used to send text messages and emails to patients. The texts and emails reminding patients to take medication, make an appointment and stay updated on laboratory tests.
According to Health Affairs, the first program started with CARDIONET that would send messages to patients about the importance of exercise. VidaNET now used for HIV patients in Mexico to remind patients to take medication and to visit the doctor. It can even alert patients about HIV resources and provides motivation to help patients through the side effects of drugs.
A program soon-to-be-released called DiabeDiario is still in production, but will be available for patients with diabetes. Hopefully this "app" can help people better manage their condition and to provide educational information about the disease. Shockingly, diabetes is the leading cause of death in Mexico.
So what impact could these cell phone applications? Well, 80 percent of the Mexican population owns a cell phone, and only 9.1 percent have an Internet connection at home. It seems that this cell phone strategy will be much more successful in countries like Mexico that lack landline technology.
A study in the UK already found the positive effect of the use of text messages reminders. According to the study, the patients missed appointments at the doctor from 33 to 50 percent less frequently.
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