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mobile healthcare development." He said the mobile health market is expanding quickly and could vastly enhance and enlarge the system of healthcare delivery for countless patients. CheckedUp: A mobile health platform beta launches in ophthalmology "As humans, we can get excited about the potential for huge gains in disease prevention and management with the proliferation and widespread adoption of educational and diagnostic apps," he said. "As doctors, we can use apps to educate and connect to our patients, capture compliance, and promote patient satisfaction. As ophthalmologists, we can connect to each other and access the latest in educational content. Enter CheckedUp, which beta launches in ophthalmology at the [2013 ASCRS•ASOA Symposium & Congress in San Francisco] and will revolutionize the patient/doctor relationship. "Given the trajectory of smartphone and tablet adoption and social media uptake, it is time that physicians step out of the antiquated role of 'doctor knows best' and into the more patient-centric role of accessible, interactive partners in customized healthcare delivery," Dr. Awdeh said. Ophthalmologists can benefit from the new technology and patient use, but should be cautious in their approach. "We should work toward a careful and strategic integration of new technologies into our practices, and beware of quick fixes or door-to-door one-sizefits-all app salesmen. It's important for branding as much as liability that mobile health and technology adoption work for patients, doctors, and practices," he said. "Equally important is that the regulatory compliance standards—including those of HIPPA, the Federal Trade Commission, and the International Organization for Standardization— are met. In the case of CheckedUp, the platform was validated in pilot trials with patients, and the product team made an investment in the platform architecture—from the beginning—to ensure adherence to regulatory standards and to respond to patient needs." Eric Donnenfeld, MD, founding partner, Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island, and a pilot investigator for CheckedUp, expressed his excitement at being at the cutting edge of patient care. "We are thrilled to be in a position to harness the power of mobile technology to write the future of healthcare delivery." OB Editors' note: Dr. Awdeh has financial interests with Cirle (Miami) and CheckedUp. Dr. Donnenfeld has no financial interests related to this article. Contact information Richard M. Awdeh, MD Director, Technology Transfer and Innovation, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami richard.awdeh@gmail.com Eric Donnenfeld, MD Founding partner, Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island ericdonnenfeld@gmail.com April 2013 • Ophthalmology Business 23