10 Apple HealthKit mobile apps for physicians and their patients

The latest version of Apple’s operating system iOS 8, released in September, allows physicians to connect with patients in more ways than before. This is thanks to the HealthKit app that collects user health and fitness data, including steps taken, heart rate, calories, sleep and other vitals on Apple devices without much effort from the user.

HealthKit has allowed many existing mobile apps to become more robust by offering detailed health and wellness information for users who want to take more control over their health. Also, collaborations with electronic health record systems (EHRs), hospitals and health plans allow physicians and patients to have mobile access to patients’ records anywhere.

READ: Apple’s HealthKit: What physicians need to know

Here is a list of mobile apps that doctors can use to help with practice management and connect with patients: 

Patient IO

MyFitnessPal

Official Website: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/mobile/iphone

Price: FREE

Device: Universal (iPhone and iPad)

This popular calorie counter and fitness app now syncs with HealthKit and communicates with other apps to help users with dieting goals. 

drchrono EHR

Official Website: https://drchrono.com/

Price: FREE

Device: iPad

Rated the No. 1 mobile EHR system by Black Book Research in 2013 and 2014, drchrono EHR uses HealthKit data from your patients to update their health records.

Centered

Official Website: http://www.bcbsil.com/mobile

Price: FREE

Device: iPhone (works on iPad)

This stress management app uses HealthKit to count users steps throughout the day, and suggests meditation programs.

AskMD

Official Website: http://www.sharecare.com/askmd

Price: FREE

Device: iPhone (works on iPad)

Users can create multiple profiles that sync HealthKit information to this app that populates health advice and diagnoses based on their data. AskMD also helps patients find physicians covered by their health plan and organizes information to bring to doctor’s visits.

HealthLoop

Official Website: http://healthloop.com/

Price: FREE

Device: Universal (iPhone and iPad)

Patients use this clinical app to provide data to physicians, and check in with healthcare providers about medical concerns between doctor visits. Users are also able to hold instant message conversations, and set reminders for tests and activities.

HumanaVitality

Official Website: https://www.humana.com/members/member-support/

Price: FREE

Device: iPhone (works on iPad)

This app is for patients with a Humana health plan, and compiles user data for a wellness and rewards program to track personal or group goals.

Hello Doctor

Official Website: https://hello.do/faq

Price: FREE

Device: Universal (iPhone and iPad)

This easy-to-access, HIPAA-compliant app helps users access their health and fitness information, including an auto-generated blood pressure report, in two taps to share with doctors or family.

Mayo Clinic

Official Website: http://www.mayoclinic.org/

Price: FREE

Device: Universal (iPhone and iPad)

For patients at the Mayo Clinic, this app syncs with HealthKit to share information with physicians, offers secure instant messaging, and allows patients to request appointments and view lab results.

Patient IO

Official Website: http://patientio.com/

Price: FREE

Device: Universal (iPhone and iPad)

Patient IO provides secure instant messaging between physicians and their patients, and gives physicians the ability to create treatment plans that patients can easily adhere to. Healthcare providers manage this app along with patients, and only users registered with their providers can use this app.

MyChart by Epic

Official Website: http://www.epic.com/

Price: FREE

Device: iPhone (works on iPad)

For practices that use Epic EHR, this app allows patients to sync their health and fitness data to their health record, pay bills and review their health record from their mobile device.