Steve Jobs' Incredible Legacy in Health Care

Yesterday, one of the greatest and most inventive technological pioneers in history passed away when Steve Jobs lost his fight with pancreatic cancer and died at the age of 56. Apple’s most famous CEO had an impact on health care that is helping to revolutionize the way in which medical practitioners conduct their procedures and work with their patients. Through his innovations, the medical world has undoubtedly changed for the better.

Days before the death of its creator and leader, Apple announced an incredible development in health care that could now bypass the iPad HIPPA complaint. Health care providers can now use the FaceTime video chat function to securely talk to patients and other clinicians. This incredible feat adds to the contributions Jobs made to health care. iPad and iPhone apps were other amazing additions to the medical world that Apple produced, all through the ideas of Steve Jobs.

Apple's Jobs Leaves behind a Powerful mHealth Legacy [Fierce Mobile Healthcare]

Even in death, Jobs’ memory will live on in health care. President Obama said Jobs changed the way each of us sees the world and the President is right in many ways. With the integration of the iPad in hospitals, physicians and clinicians transformed the ways many of them worked with patients and performed procedures. The interest in these new technologies from care providers is immense and in only three years, the iPhone and iPad, along with many other smartphones and tablets, have found a home in hospitals and physician practices. Thanks to Job’s creations, there is an increasing number of iPad-native EHRs along with mHealth apps being available to both health care professionals and their patients. In a health care field that has taken decades to endorse digital advancements when compared to other industries, scores of medical experts and practitioners have adopted Apple’s mobile devices and implemented them into health care with impressive speed.

Steve Jobs' Legacy Will Live On In Health Care [Healthcare IT]

Jobs was a true visionary and his innovations impacted a variety of fields. In regards to the health care field, “over 80 percent of the top hospitals in the US are now testing or piloting the iPad,” according to Apple’s recently appointed CEO Tim Cook. In addition, approximately 30% of US physicians own and consistently use the iPad, which is just another aspect of the connection forged between Jobs’ technology and health care. Even the new iPod nano will be contributing to the health world with its new accelerometer to estimate steps taken on walks and runs to keep track of fitness results.

No, 80 Percent of US Hospitals Aren’t Testing iPads [Mobi Health News]

When it comes to patient forms, medical records, and charts, the portability of the iPad is making it essential around hospitals. The Covenant Health System in Lubbock, Texas has developed a new program that allows patients to fill out their applications for Social Security benefits for people with disabilities online using iPads. The addition of the iPad has sped up the process about three to five weeks according to Eric Alfaro, Social Security operations supervisor. Michael Pullen, Covenant eligibility services benefits coordinator, came up with the idea for using the iPad in his hospital and said it gives patients the ability to complete forms in their hospital rooms. The process is paying dividends to both sides because it saves money for Covenant and Social Security, which has received tons of applications and less funding due to the weakened economy.

The iPad is also assisting medical practitioners conduct health surveys due to the Apple technology’s ability to electronically tally results. Pullen also explained that health care providers can pull up medical records or explain an X-ray to a patient using the iPad. The mobility of the iPad is having a profoundly positive effect on hospitals.

iPad Makes Difference With Medical Patient Forms [Lubbock Avalanche-Journal]

The iPad is also making a splash among elderly patients dealing with memory loss and deterioration. At the Health Central Park nursing home and the west Orange County nursing home Apple iPad 2 tablets are being used to spur memory, mobility and social skills in their patients. Age, Alzheimer’s disease, and other types of dementia have weakened these important skills but the Apple tablet is helping people regain them. The iPad’s innovative approach with the elderly could open doors to new geriatric and Alzheimer’s research with baby boomers heading toward retirements and tablets gaining popularity.

iPads Help Elderly Remember, Socialize [Los Angeles Times]

These advances in technology are only some of the ways in which Steve Jobs and his creations have impacted health care and it is through these inventions that the memory of Jobs will live on in the medical world. Jobs truly did change the way health care is delivered these days and his contributions will forever serve as both a launch point and standard for medical technology for years to come. Rest in peace, Mr. Jobs.