With new smartphone applications created every day, even medical professionals are finding ways to utilize the apps in their practice.
Assistant professor of health programs Rhonda Conner-Warren’s current research focuses on the use of apps by medical physicians, registered nurses and nurse practitioners.
Conner-Warren works with medical professionals to determine whether they can use apps and how these apps may help patients in terms of health promotion, health maintenance or to gain health knowledge.
“A lot of times, an adolescent has this wonderful iPhone and all of these apps, but they can’t tell me when their menstrual cycle starts,” Conner-Warren said. “Well there’s an app for that.”
Conner-Warren is also involved in vaccination efforts with the Ingham County Department of Health - Child Health Clinic.
“In the Child Health Clinic, the number one issue is immunizations,” Conner-Warren said. “We want to make sure that we don’t miss an opportunity and we review immunizations with each and every visit, irrespective of what your visit is for.”
Conner-Warren said vaccinations are important for children because they do not have the ability to fight infection well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that before vaccines, many children died from diseases that vaccines now prevent, such as whooping cough, measles and polio.
“We want the greater good for everyone,” Conner-Warren said. “Immunizing your child can help save a family member, your child and your community.”
Conner-Warren’s future goals are to continue her current research involving smartphone applications and to fulfill her patients’ needs in order to live better lives. Conner-Warren said she encourages her students to ask questions and reassures them they have the support at MSU to research the answers.