Securely Connecting Health Care Communities
Location-sharing apps have been around for a long time, and were originally created to share information about locations in order to help people find the closest hospital, pharmacy, or other location that provides specific care needs. But with new technologies coming out every year, these apps are continuing to evolve and stay at the forefront of tech trends.
In this blog post, I will be sharing all of my personal experiences with various healthcare community sharing apps for iOS and Android devices. These apps provide a much more secure means of connecting medical communities together than what was previously available in the form of “helplines” and phone conversations between health care providers from different regions where they may not speak the same language. These apps are all based on location, but how they are designed and function differ greatly and can be boiled down to the following three main categories:
1) Geolocation & Tracking - These apps rely on a user's location, in order for them to connect with others that share the same place. In these cases, users are able to meet up and assist their community members with aid or assistance.
2) Social Networking & Messaging - These apps focus on connecting physical locations with people and communities interested in those locations. Users may have an interest in meeting up at a certain time/day or going to a specific location.
3) Secure & Private - These apps are designed to connect people who need medical help and to connect communities with those ideas. In this case, one can create a secure online profile to share information and provide assistance.
Some of the more popular apps in each category are highlighted below:
1. Geolocation & Tracking РCity Map, Fleetscanner, Go-Find2, Linecider, Whereis, Pathfindr (iOS), Where2go (Android), Hollont̩ (iOS)
https://www.pathfindr.com/products-services/location-sharing/
A location sharing app that provides access to thousands of hospitals across the world. Users are able to connect to and meet up with other users who share the same interest or location and provide them with assistance.
2. Social Networking & Messaging – Meetup, Couchsurfing, RelayRides (iOS), Crowdtap (Android)
https://www.crowdtap.com/about-us/location-sharing
A social network app that creates groups of people based on their location, interests and skillsets in a given field. Using the app, users can meet up with other people based on their shared interest or location and assist them with finding local resources when needed.
3. Secure & Private – Health2Go (iOS), Tracked (Android)
Empowering people with local medical information and resources via the internet. Users are able to use this app to create a profile, build a network of medical professionals and doctors in their area, and provide medical information to other users that need it.
Some of the more interesting apps in each category that I enjoy working with are highlighted below.
1. Geolocation & Tracking – City Map, Fleetscanner, Go-Find2, Whereis, Pathfindr (iOS), Where2go (Android)
https://www.pathfindr.com/products-services/location-sharing/
A location sharing app that provides access to thousands of hospitals across the world. Users are able to connect to and meet up with other users who share the same interest or location and provide them with assistance.
2. Social Networking & Messaging – Meetup, Couchsurfing, RelayRides (iOS), Crowdtap (Android)
https://www.crowdtap.com/about-us/location-sharing
A social network app that creates groups of people based on their location, interests and skillsets in a given field. Using the app, users can meet up with other people based on their shared interest or location and assist them with finding local resources when needed.
3. Secure & Private – Health2Go (iOS), Tracked (Android)
Empowering people with local medical information and resources via the internet. Users are able to use this app to create a profile, build a network of medical professionals and doctors in their area, and provide medical information to other users that need it.
https://www.health2gohealthcare.com/spc/
An app that allows users to share their profiles with other medical professionals in their area or subscribe to the profiles of people without them knowing. Users can also create “Groups” for specific medical interests, and search for local health care professionals that match with their preferences. Users are also able to view a map showing other users from nearby locations and assist them if they need assistance.
https://www.health2gohealthcare.com/spc/
A location based app that allows users to connect with others that might be nearby and can assist them. Since the app is based on location, users are able to find out if someone is nearby, allowing them to arrange a time and place to meet up. The app also allows for sending and receiving secure messages so that users may be more comfortable reaching out for assistance and connecting with others in the community.
https://www.sodexoambassadorteam.com/ourpathway
A location based app that allows users to search to see if there is any assistance nearby. If a user has medical needs or an issue, they are able to seek out and connect with others who might be able to offer assistance. The app factors in the user’s current location and other users who share their interests, allowing for easy connections with people that may be nearby and can assist them.
1. Geolocation & Tracking – MapQuest, EverywhereMe (iOS), WhereTo? (Android), Naijafinder (iOS), On-The-Go (iOS), Where2go (Android)
https://www.where2goapp.com/
A location based app that allows users to search to see if there is any assistance nearby. If a user has medical needs or an issue, they are able to seek out and connect with others who might be able to offer assistance. The app factors in the user’s current location and other users who share their interests, allowing for easy connections with people that may be nearby and can assist them.
https://www.mapquestmobileapp.com/m/wa-jumla-tracker-location/
A location based app that tracks your exact position, as well as shows you information on your current route and other relevant articles as you travel along it.
Conclusion:
Technology is continuously changing our world. The apps listed in this post are just a small example of what is possible using the power of technology.
Over the past few years, location sharing has become a hot topic in the news and among academics. In fact, many experts believe that this technology will be one of the most important changes in our society over the next ten years. As these apps grow, they will provide us with more and more opportunities to make a difference in others lives and our own.
Sources:
http://www.health2gohealthcare.com/spc/
https://www.sodexoambassadorteam.