ORCHA reports an 'explosion' in the adoption of digital healthcare since COVID-19

"The latest report published by ORCHA (the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Applications) on digital health trends has found that there has a been a significant rise in digital health, with health app downloads up from four to five million every day.
The research provides 15 months of app search and downloadable data which began prior to lockdown measures.

WHY IT MATTERS
The report found that the most downloaded apps were: Wysa for stress and anxiety, NHS Weight Loss Plan, Smoke Free, Low Carb Programme and Lincus Companion, a health and weight loss programme.
The report predicts that in 2021, with lockdown still a part of our daily lives, new sectors will discover the merits of digital healthcare within maternity and women’s health services, cancer, cardiovascular and stroke services.
The report authors call for improved procurement systems, allowing health and care professionals to prescribe digital health tools for patients, plus improved education, with more professionals being trained to use digital health as part of routine practice.
Key findings of the report stated that; downloads of apps supporting consumers with mental health needs increased by nearly 200% from summer 2019 to summer 2020; downloads of those supporting consumers with diets and weight loss rose by 1294% from mid-2019 to mid-2020; and downloads of apps helping consumers manage their diabetes rose by 482%..." Lire la suite