The iPhone possesses a seemingly neverending ability to permeate into most spheres of daily existence, offering us a range of services in situations where previously we struggled without our beloved apps – and also in plenty of situations where we were previously perfectly fine without the shiny little touchscreen deity…
However, as good as the iPhone is, one must surely feel that it is important that it does not provide the answer for every tricky, confusing, or annoying problem or situation in our lives. I’m talking especially about the new surge in health related apps, some of which threaten to assume far too much significance in people’s health decisions and education.
There’s no doubt that some of the more minor apps are great at helping us monitor and improve our health and fitness. The NHS has already endorsed the ‘Drinks Tracker’ which will help people to keep better track of their alcohol consumption, and hopefully exercise better informed choices aided by this additional information.
Various fitness apps that follow your exercise progress and log improving (or deteriorating) personal bests for exercise tasks are also nice additions and do far more easily and efficiently what otherwise required some serious self-discipline, good memory and lots of bits of paper and pencils…
However, as a recent Guardian roundup of the best health apps out there stresses, apps should never ever replace going to see your doctor for a professional consultation if something is wrong. While there are plenty of diagnosis apps out there – and they are all no doubt quicker to use than arranging and waiting for an appointment – we should surely remember that in certain areas of our lives, efficiency and ease is not the most important thing.
While there’s no harm in enquiring on the symptom checker function of apps such as WebMD mobile and Symptom MD, this should never replace visiting the doctor for a far more thorough consultation with a life-long expert. Just remember your iPhone for some entertainment if you get bored in the waiting room…
Dejan Levi