Wearable devices connecting via mobile phones are set to move m-Health services on from reactive to proactive care according to Christian Lindholm, Chief Innovation Officer at service design consultancy Fjord.

Speaking at Congress yesterday Lindholm explored the implications of what Fjord perceives as a discernable shift from sports performance tracking to overall wellness tracking.  Sports performance services, often linked into social networks which enable users to track and share the progress of their training, provide lessons for m-Health.

“Sensors will likely be built into clothing and running shoes, with the mobile device serving as a hub for this network of sensors,” Lindholm told Mobile World Daily.  “Wearable devices that can track a user’s health 24/7 will open up a whole new category of service innovation.”

Consumers and patients have different objectives notes Lindholm.  “The aim for a patient is to get better; for a consumer, it is normally simply about monitoring their wellness levels.”  In both cases, simplicity, safety and ease of use, are huge concerns.

Lindholm believes operators have a role to play in the marketing of m-health but warns that end-users could become confused if the same services are marketed by operators, healthcare providers, and the services themselves.  “Marketing strategies need to be carefully thought out so as not to misinform users.”

Ease-of-use and cost-saving will drive the uptake of mobile health services. “By enabling patients and consumers to monitor their health from within the confines of their homes, the overall cost of healthcare will be driven down,” said Lindholm.   “This will make a huge difference to those less able to leave their homes, and will change the way that we view healthcare as a whole, particularly in developed markets where smartphones are all-pervading.”