m-Health Applications for Responding to Drug Use and Associated Harms

Digital healthcare, also known as e-health, refers to tools and services that use information and communication technology to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and management of health. 

Mobile health, or m-health, is an aspect of e-health. M-health is medical and public health practice supported by mobile devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, portable patient monitoring devices, personal digital assistants and other wireless devices. M-health uses voice, SMS and apps to communicate and support patients. 

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction has published a paper that describes and systematically reviews the effectiveness of many e-technologies that are currently being used. The article highlights the potential efficacy of e-health interventions however it also identifies areas that need to be improved and emphasises the importance of a strong evidence base behind the different interventions offered.