Promising Patients the Earth? Social and Ethical Issues in Mobile Health Communication

Abstract

The massive transformation in healthcare and developments in mobile technologies highlight the importance of mobile health communication and its offers. Mobile health applications provide many advantages to healthcare providers and consumers, and redefine the delivery of healthcare services. As seen in development of  social media sites and online health forums, there are important social and ethical considerations for mobile health communication systems, such as credibility of information provided by mobile applications, privacy and security of patients’ data, low health literacy rates, differences in technology adoption, etc. This study examines the changing structure of health services through mobile applications from service providers and consumers’ perspectives and discusses major problems of mobile health applications that threaten health system and its actors. This paper also provides suggestions for policy developers and communication professionals in order to develop sound mobile health strategies and a better healthcare system.