Docs soon to be able to prescribe mobile apps if Happtique has anything to do with it

For our US readers, the days of leaving your local hospital or surgery with a prescription for medication in your hand may soon be about to change…

mHealth mobile app store Happtique today announced plans for the launch of a new programme that will enable physicians to prescribe

mHealth apps to patients. With a trial period first, Happtique will see if its mRx mobile tool will encourage doctors to prescribe health applications and be effective enough to convince patients to actually download them.

For the trial, Happtique is recruiting GPs, doctors and physicians that specialise in the treatment of heart disease, diabetes, and musculoskeletal conditions, as well as physical therapists and trainers to test the technology with health and fitness apps. Participating prescribers will receive training and access to a range of health-specific apps, enabling them to integrate appropriate apps into their patients’ treatment programs.

Happtique will select 5-10 apps in each of the designated categories on both Android and iOS platforms. Once the trial apps have been selected, participating physicians and trainers will begin prescribing the apps, depending on the needs of the patients. As part of the trial, Happtique will provide doctors with the mRx app. Patients in the US will be able to download it from the App Store, the Google Play store or directly if they’re using an HTML5 app.

According to Happtique, “prescribing mobile health apps will allow doctors and patients to improve their connection and bring about healthy behaviour changes”.

Can we see this actually coming to fruition? We’re struggling to imagine going into our GP or doctor with a problem and coming out with a new app! Only time will tell though.