Mobile health is getting a lot of word of mouth lately. With smartphone use continuing to rise, it’s critical to start developing mobile strategies that connect with consumers. But, where do you start? And what exactly are consumers looking for in a mobile app?
A predictive model is born
Before you can develop your mobile strategy, the first step is understanding who’s using smartphones. That way, you can deliver the right message to the right place. CPM recently ran a survey on smartphone use, and after analyzing key indicators, we created a predictive model that helps hospitals identify and target smartphone users.
“We’re working with our clients to develop and market mobile apps,” says John Hallick, CPM’s President and CEO. “But, we have to be able to easily identify smartphone users to market to them. Now, we can apply our model to find those likely to own a smartphone, then promote the smartphone app.”
What do patients really want from healthcare apps?
The next step after identifying smartphone users is delivering mobile services they really want. Our survey showed that about one-third of smartphone users who use their smartphone to browse the Web use their phone to find healthcare information. But, what healthcare information are they looking for?
It turns out that people crave apps that don’t just deliver information such as hospital walking maps or hours, but apps that go a step further to help them manage their healthcare. High on the list of desires were mobile apps that offer nurse live chats, medication reminders, appointment reminders or post-discharge instructions. Respondents were also keen on receiving emergency information straight to their phone, such as ER directions or wait times.
The future is mobile
Smartphone use will only increase in the coming years. Now’s the time to identify your smartphone users and develop a mobile strategy that harnesses CPM data and consumer needs to manage the health of your community.
See more of the results of our smartphone study by watching our smartphone webinar.
