Smartphones are being seen more and more as handheld computers with their larger interfaces, computing capabilities, and capacious memories. Operating systems have also seen major improvements for Android, Apple iOS, RIM Blackberry, Symbian, and Windows. Apps for these phones have begun tailoring towards the medical field more recently. These apps can be aimed for both layperson/patient and health professional use such as health and lifestlye education, assisted living assistance, continuing educational tools, etc. One app in particular is discussed: the eCAALYX (Enhanced Complete Ambient Assisted Living Experiment) which works together with a BAN (a patient garment that has wireless health sensors) and a GPS that allows healthcare professionals to monitor the patient (usually an elder patient with multiple chronic conditions) and possibly take further action.

This article really stood out to me as it not only brought to light the capabilities of smartphone apps in the medical field, but also highlighted several of them to better explain their potential. The eCAALYX for example has many possibilities for healthcare monitoring that focuses on "bringing the doctors to the patient." In my Design of Medical Devices class, we discussed this exact topic concerning how in rural areas, bringing the doctor to the patient, who may be less educated or less financially stable, is a strong initiative to ensure better care for those patients in these areas.

http://www.biomedical-engineering-online.com/content/10/1/24