An Apple a day – CareKit for developing healthcare apps for iOS out

April 28, 2016 07:45 pm | Updated 07:45 pm IST

The tech giant already has Health app, which helps people collect their health information using sensor-based technology. Now, Apple is taking it a step further.

The tech giant already has Health app, which helps people collect their health information using sensor-based technology. Now, Apple is taking it a step further.

Apple has released CareKit, a framework for developers to build apps that let you manage your well-being on a daily basis.

The tech giant already has Health app, which helps people collect their health information using sensor-based technology. Now, Apple is taking it a step further.

Apple is now trying to connect patients and doctors digitally. The idea is for care teams, such as doctors, nurses and caregivers to have access to all the health information of their patients. CareKit helps developers to come up with easy-to use apps for patients to record their symptoms, get access to health related information easily and also to track their health progress. Through these apps, Apple aims to make it easier for the patients to send their health-related information to a doctor.

There are already many health related apps which the company had introduced last year. mPower app is one such. This app is for the people who are suffering from Parkinson’s disease. The app provides innovative activity-measurements through a memory game, finger tapping, voice recording, and walking.

This app helps people to share and learn more about the respective disease.

Apple had also introduced an app called Autism & Beyond. With the use of video technology which helps in analysing the child’s emotions and behaviour.

EpiWatch is another app which Apple introduced in the App store in 2015. This app is more relevant for those using a Apple Watch. This app is designed to predict seizures before they happen. It keeps a track on the beginning and the duration of the seizures. It also keeps a record so the patient can keep a track of the happenings. The record can also be easily shared with the respective doctor through the app.

When a seizure is about to occur with the help of accelerometer and heart rate sensors an alert is sent to the designated family member.

There are many such apps which have helped people in distress. Now, Apple will soon be introducing some more with the help of CareKit service which is available on Github’s open source community from today.

The CareKit already comes with some startup apps:

One Drop: This is an app for people who have diabetes. The One Drop app will be able to incorporate CareKit modules that will help in monitoring how the person is feeling. Also, the patient will be able to track their glucose levels. With all this functions the app will also help the patient to share the information to the respective people directly from the app.

Glow: Maker of reproductive healthcare app.

Iodine: This app is for people with depression.

Postsurgical care app: This app will help the doctors to follow up on their respective patients after a surgery. Also, it will help the patient to take care of himself or herself after the surgery in a better way with the help of a Care Card feature in the app which will have all the instructions from the doctor.

The apps mentioned above will soon be launched.

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