As the mobile health industry continues to grow every day, with an expected market size of $8 billion by 2018, a greater number of doctors and patients are using their smartphones and tablets to take control of their healthcare and improve its effectiveness. With the rapid growth and adoption of mobile medical solutions, it is unsurprising that more and more apps are being created with this specifically in mind.

Here are four recently launched healthcare apps for personal use as well as for medical professionals.
DrawMD
DrawMD, from Visible Health, is a free iPad app that allows doctors to show patients exactly what a surgery or other medical procedure will involve.  Conceived by surgical oncologists, it provides interactive diagrams in nine specialties, giving doctors visual tools to help explain complex medical and surgical procedures.

The app is a wonderful two-way communication tool. Physicians can use included anatomical images or upload their own, and then draw, write or type additional information directly onto the image, which can then be shared directly during consultations or via email to patients. Patients can also use these diagrams and tools to better illustrate for their doctors exactly what is happening with their bodies, such as where pain is occurring or where implants and scars from previous surgeries are located.

DrawMD’s medical fields include anesthesiology, critical care, cardiology, otolaryngology, female pelvic surgery, general and vascular surgery, ob/gyn, orthopedics, and urology.

MAQI2 Anticoagulation Toolkit

From the University of Michigan (MAQI2 stands for the Michigan Anticoagulation Quality Improvement Initiative) comes a free iOS app that provides doctors an up-to-date, reliable and easy to use source of information on anticoagulation. The prevention of blood clots is extremely importance for positive outcomes in a number of critical health conditions, including stroke and heart attack, and this toolkit give physicians the information they need to decide whether or not to anti-coagulate patients and also helps them determine drug dosing guidelines for anticoagulation based on a patient’s medical data.
Centered

’The Centered app aids users in reducing stress by tracking their daily physical activity while providing guidance for mindful meditation exercises proven to improve overall health. By encouraging positive behavior and helping to demonstrate the connection between exercise and stress levels, consumers can gain greater insight in managing their health and well-being. Users can track progress towards how “centered” they are as they get closer to meeting their goals and can see how adding meditation sessions and adding more steps to their day affects their mood. Says Dr. Conway McDanald, vice president and chief medical officer, of app developer Health Care Service Corporation, “Centered makes stress management actionable and intentional, potentially leading to an improvement in total health and productivity and positive health outcomes.”

KidSpeak – Medical Preps for Kids

’This free Anroid and iOS app, created by Child Life Specialists at the Tucson Medical Center for Children, helps pediatricians, family physicians and ER doctors  explain how diseases and treatments work to parents and kids in an easy-to-understand way. Hospitals and clinics can be unfamiliar, scary places to young children and this app allows them to learn what to expect, what is going on with their body and generally reduces anxiety that can accompany medical procedure. Amy Fregonese, a Child Life Specialist, says, “”I think a common misconception is parents think – ‘I don’t know what to tell my child and I don’t want to scare them so I’m not going to say anything at all.’ And we’ve found that really doesn’t work. It really creates more fear and so the app is really great for education before coming to the hospital and when they’re here.”