Vitals, a New York-based developer of online physician information and ratings resources, has launched its first mobile app to allow people to use their mobile devices to research local providers based on patient reviews, according to a story by Eric Wicklund.
The app will also let users create lists of favorite doctors, and store personal information like phone numbers and insurance information. The app is an extension of the Vitals website.
"Vitals is an invaluable resource for patients looking to find the right doctor and obtain the best in quality medical care for both themselves and their families," said Mitch Rothschild, the company's CEO. "The Vitals app makes it easier than ever to instantly find top doctors and specialists anywhere in the U.S., giving patients the information they need to make informed decisions about their health no matter where they are."
Wicklund reported that Rothschild said roughly 20 percent of the company's current Web traffic comes through mobile devices, “and that number is expected to rise as more and more people become comfortable with smartphones, notebooks and laptops. We have to be there to serve our users in as many different forms as they want to use.”
Other apps like ZocDoc let also let patients review doctors and dentists in their area, as well as book appointments on a mobile phone. A different kind of mobile app allows patients to have access to their health records and manage their health.
Using these devices is a snap. To find a doctor, simply enter your zip code and insurance carrier and the app does the rest.
Launched in 2008 for parents, students, travelers and professionals – actually, just about anyone looking for medical help when away from home – Rothschild told Wicklund the concept “capitalizes on the intelligent shopping process now employed by consumers in many different arenas, as well as the push for transparency in healthcare.”
By accumulating and analyzing information on physicians that includes public information and patient-provided reviews, Vitals’ goal is to offer a resource for people who don't have access to their regular doctors” and need to find one, anywhere. While the mobile app isn't as feature-rich as the company's website, it does help users who are on vacation when their child needs stitches, Wicklund noted.
And not just any doctor, but a one well-reviewed by others.
Rothschild told Wicklund that the Supreme Court's recent decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act "is really kind of turbo-charging our growth," as it will add millions of people to the nation's health insurance rolls – and who won’t want to know which local physicians are on which health plans?
Edited by
Braden Becker
