The digital revolution has transformed nearly every aspect of modern life—including healthcare. In recent years, digital health apps have surged in popularity, offering patients unprecedented access to healthcare tracking. Virtual consultations, medication reminders, and wellness insights.

But with this rapid expansion comes a critical question: Are digital health apps always reliable? Do they truly improve patient outcomes? What are the risks of relying on digital tools over traditional healthcare?

At Los Gatos Doc, we believe in leveraging technology without compromising quality care. Let’s take a closer look at how digital health apps are reshaping patient care. Along with some key risks to consider before you believe everything your smart-tech has to say.

The Growth Digital Health Apps

The global digital health market is expected to surpass nearly $660 billion in 2025, and this is all thanks to the consumer! Think about it: smartphone usage, wearable technology like watches and rings, and the general demand for remote healthcare solutions has played a large impact in recent years.

Patients now have access to thousands of apps covering everything from mental health therapy solutions (Headspace or Calm, anyone?) to diabetes management (MySugr, One Drop) and even heart health tracking (KardiaMobile, Apple Health.)

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), digital health apps have the potential to improve health outcomes, increase accessibility, and even reduce healthcare costs—but only when used correctly.

The Benefits of Digital Health Apps

There are many benefits that come with using digital health apps. Their rise in popularity would have. Been short-lived otherwise. With technology becoming a main staple of everyday life, it is no surprise. Most health practitioners agree that there are absolute benefits in using tech when it comes to your health like:

Increased Access to Care

Having the use of technology and digital health apps help to remove geographic barriers, which allows patients—especially those who reside in rural or underserved areas—to connect with their providers from the comfort of their own home, without having to overcome obstacles or travel long distances. Telehealth platforms like Teladoc Health and Amwell enable real time consultations, which works to eliminate wait times for in-person visits.

According to the CDC, telehealth visits have increased by 154% since 2020, and have become a critical health solution post-pandemic. As the world is shifting, so is our access to these vital tools.

Better Chronic Disease Management

There are many apps on the market that are designed for chronic. Disease management for ailments and illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and even asthma. These apps can work to track symptoms, log medications, and even provide real-time alerts about potential health risks. 

The American Diabetes Association has found that mobile apps like the MySugr app which helps patients to track glucose levels and automatically share data with their doctor, have worked to improve blood sugar control in over 60% of patients!

Personalized Health Monitoring and Wellness

Having a wearable app connected to your devices (think Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin, etc) works to give you real time data on things like your heart rate and ECG readings, sleep tracking, and physical activity levels. You can even get a better grip on your stress and mental health matters.

Cleveland Clinic has reported that 70% of heart disease cases can be prevented with lifestyle changes — and these lifestyle changes can easily be monitored through wearables and health tracking apps. 

There have also been countless cases of Apple Watch’s ECG feature detecting an irregular heart rhythm in users, which has prompted them to seek medical treatment before a cardiac event occurs. This is a huge help for those who may not be recognizing danger signs on a first glance with their own health journey.

Medication Adherence and Reminders

Ever forget to take your medication? You’re not alone. The NIH reports that non-adherence to prescriptions is a huge problem, which leads to 125,000 preventable deaths a year alone in the United States.

By having a friendly reminder from a useful app, you can set notifications for medication reminders, be alerted if you missed a dose, and even look up specific drug interaction warnings. Users who have elected to be reminded for their medication have high success rates too, and are often 2x more likely to take their prescription as prescribed versus non-users

Risks & Challenges for Digital Health Apps

With all good things, there is always a dual side to the coin—and while the benefits may be considered numerous, there are many ways that digital health tools are not always perfect. Some of the higher level of risks include:

Data Privacy and Security Risks

It is common for many health apps to collect sensitive personal data, but keep in mind not all are HIPAA-compliant. In fact, a 2023 study found that health apps share user data with third party entites—including advertisers—without patient consent.

So what exactly can you do about that?

Well, for starters you can choose to engage with apps that are endorsed by trusted medical institutions, like Mayo Clinic, the CDC, or NIH and ensure you are not just accepting every privacy policy message that comes your way. You can also be sure to avoid any apps that are requesting unnecessary data access, like GPS or your contacts list, to help in protecting yourself.

Unsure about a current app? Chat with your healthcare provider with any questions, they can steer you in the right direction.

Risk of Misdiagnosis and False Information

Any hypochondriacs in the building? Health apps can (and those unsanctioned generally might) provide medical care or even diagnose conditions without any clinical validation.

For example, AI-powered skin cancer detection apps have up to a 40% error rate which is frighteningly high, and the truth of the matter is most anyone can create an app and call it good. So be diligent about what it is you are downloading on your phone, and any kind of information you glean from these apps, be sure to bring to your doctor.

The Over (and Under) Reliance on Digital Health Apps

Not all patients have access to smart tools to care for their health, reliable internet, or even digital literacy skills to use health apps effectively. The digital divide with seniors has proven that many are unable to use these tools which can often lead to delayed medical care.

Ensuring that healthcare providers are able to tackle digital app education. And safe and effective digital health usage with all patients, especially seniors. Will ensure that this divide is easily managed. 

How to Safely Use Digital Health Apps

So maybe at this point you are thinking the pro’s outweigh the cons, and you may be wanting to take the leap and experience the world and benefits of digital health tools for yourself. First and foremost, it is important to discuss any tracking or monitoring of your health with your healthcare provider. But here are some additional tips to help you get started:

• Choose Reputable Apps — Opt for those apps that are designed by. Medical institutions that you trust (Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic) or government agencies (CDC, NIH) for best-case and most suitable materials.
• Use Apps as a Supplement, Not a Substitute — be sure that digital tools are enhancing your care, not replacing it. Always ensure that your app is double checked by your doctor.
• Monitor Data Privacy. Check what information is being. Collected and shared within the app. Look for HIPAA-compliant apps or those that encrypt personal data for. The best-case scenario when it comes to your personal information.
• Verify Medical Claims — Avoid apps that promise “instant diagnoses” or a cure-all solution. Making sure that reliable apps are pulling from. Medical sources and clinical studies is important, but always check with your doctor.

Final Thoughts: It’s All About Balance

If you are ready to take the leap into digital health tools, you are not alone! Digital health tools hold many benefits and have the innate potential to revolutionize healthcare. Making it more accessible, personalized, and efficient. Ho ̑wever, the tools you type or wear should never replace human expertise.

At Los Gatos doc, we believe these tools can absolutely help. You with things like disease management, and taking those prescriptions on time — but do everything with a bit of balance. Never substitute your screenings and doctor visits with technology.

Need help to get started on the right path of. Finding balanced bliss with tech and your wellbeing? Head to www.LosGatosDoc.com to schedule an appointment with us today, and get a head start discussing the best options for your journey to optimal health.

Source url:

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2752995

https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/most-health-apps-share-data-with-third-fourth-parties-bmj-analysis-warns/550984/

https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-watch-lifesaving-health-features-read-5-peoples-stories/

https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2024/02/20/cleveland-clinic-london-survey-nearly-half-of-uk-adults-use-health-monitoring-technology

https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/40/10/e145/29426/Mobile-Apps-for-the-Management-of-Diabetes

https://www.nibib.nih.gov/programs/digital-health

https://www.mcpdigitalhealth.org/