How Safe Are Medical Apps?

The recent surge in medical apps has caused the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to carefully consider the matter. Concern that IT professionals with no qualifications to build these apps and the misapplication of their usage has prompted swift reaction. Despite concerns, the idea of a virtual doctor or quick access to more advanced diagnostic tools cannot be denied as invaluable assets in emergency medical responses. With more and more health care professionals embracing the technology, the challenge of regulating these apps has become nearly insurmountable.

A common objection often raised is the second-rate view the physician or app user must contend with. Even the best resolution cameras are susceptible to lighting issues that can affect x-ray quality and visual interpretation. Without a firsthand examination of the patient, the medical professional is more likely to rely on anecdotal evidence and inferior device readings that can be misleading. The matter becomes more complicated as miscalibrated instruments forego regular inspections that a qualified healthcare worker would be less likely to overlook. Digital blood pressure monitors for instance are not infallible and must be routinely checked.

How the FDA or AMA (American Medical Association) could possibly anticipate and regulate every feature in medical apps is not clear and unlikely even possible. With each technological advance, a loophole is created to circumvent existing standards. The enormity of this task not only makes regulation unpractical but also likely to backfire on legitimate innovation.