**1. Introduction**

Information technology, as a powerful tool, is the most important factor in increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations. Various industries in order to maintain their existence in the current competitive environment and promotion of their outcomes have taken effective steps toward the use of these technologies. The health care industry is no exception from this rule. Different countries consider the information technology to promote the devel‐

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opment of health information and health system outcomes with regard to the importance of care industry, direct and indirect impacts on various aspects of community development [1].

Advent of mobile devices with capabilities of caring handy and easy is one of the modern effects of IT that application of them is growing especially in the industrial sector. Some of the mobile devices include cell phones, smart phones (mobile phones processing capabilities, storage, and intelligence communications), and personal digital assistants (PDA). These devices are equipped with communication capabilities such as the ability to connect through GSM/GPRS, Wireless LAN, and Bluetooth networks; hence their utilization will provide comfort for their users.

Using mobile devices seems inevitable because the health industry is facing challenges such as resource constraints like focusing resources on specific areas, for example, in large cities [2], rising health care costs, the need for immediate access to various health care data types such as audio, video, text for early detection and treatment of patients, especially in emergency situations, and difficult in rural areas, and increasing remote aid in telemedicine and home care [3].

A study in Denmark on the necessity of using mobile devices in hospital wards showed hospital staffs want to use mobile devices because of the need to participate in different physical locations, have instant access to information, and immediately contact specific individuals while serving the patients [4].

Easy to carry and quick access to information on mobile devices make them perfect tools for health care providers. Mobile devices provide opportunities and play an important role in consulting, diagnosis, treatment [5], medical education and research [6], conducting quick access to information during shift change sectors [7], chronic disease management [8], patient empowerment [9], rapid establishment of communication regardless of distance restraints [10], and lead to increase efficiency, effective management measures, and promotion of health achievements [11].

In a similar investigation at a cancer treatment center in Spain, it was found that short telephone calls for 3–5 min between medical staff and patients decreased emergency department visits and patients' visit to the center by 24–42% [12].

Wakadha et al. in Kenya showed in rural western Kenya mobile phone-based strategies and short message services (SMSs) are potentially useful to deliver reminders, cash transfers, and achieve high, timely, and sustainable immunization coverage [13].

Today, the use of health information systems which are fixed terminals just does not seem sufficient. Because these systems do not provide necessary information for health care providers in real time, the continuous rapid delivery of services to patients is interrupted [7]. Studies indicate that lack of timely access to patient information [14], discontinuity of the communication, and lack of coordination between service provider and health care team members [15] are the main causes of medical errors. The use of mobile devices in terms of emergency situation and telemedicine is crucial for instant access to patient information, entry and data processing of medical records on time, and when the shift health care services changes for providers of health services [16, 17].

The use of mobile health programs is very interesting due to numerous benefits; however using these tools is still has many challenges. One of the approaches that significantly helps to reduce barriers is survey of advantages and obstacles of mobile devices usage. Studies of opportunities and strengthening them and identifying problems help to design proper planning and a roadmap for promoting the achievements of mobile health systems.

opment of health information and health system outcomes with regard to the importance of care industry, direct and indirect impacts on various aspects of community development [1]. Advent of mobile devices with capabilities of caring handy and easy is one of the modern effects of IT that application of them is growing especially in the industrial sector. Some of the mobile devices include cell phones, smart phones (mobile phones processing capabilities, storage, and intelligence communications), and personal digital assistants (PDA). These devices are equipped with communication capabilities such as the ability to connect through GSM/GPRS, Wireless LAN, and Bluetooth networks; hence their utilization will provide

Using mobile devices seems inevitable because the health industry is facing challenges such as resource constraints like focusing resources on specific areas, for example, in large cities [2], rising health care costs, the need for immediate access to various health care data types such as audio, video, text for early detection and treatment of patients, especially in emergency situations, and difficult in rural areas, and increasing remote aid in telemedicine and home

A study in Denmark on the necessity of using mobile devices in hospital wards showed hospital staffs want to use mobile devices because of the need to participate in different physical locations, have instant access to information, and immediately contact specific

Easy to carry and quick access to information on mobile devices make them perfect tools for health care providers. Mobile devices provide opportunities and play an important role in consulting, diagnosis, treatment [5], medical education and research [6], conducting quick access to information during shift change sectors [7], chronic disease management [8], patient empowerment [9], rapid establishment of communication regardless of distance restraints [10], and lead to increase efficiency, effective management measures, and promotion of health

In a similar investigation at a cancer treatment center in Spain, it was found that short telephone calls for 3–5 min between medical staff and patients decreased emergency department visits

Wakadha et al. in Kenya showed in rural western Kenya mobile phone-based strategies and short message services (SMSs) are potentially useful to deliver reminders, cash transfers, and

Today, the use of health information systems which are fixed terminals just does not seem sufficient. Because these systems do not provide necessary information for health care providers in real time, the continuous rapid delivery of services to patients is interrupted [7]. Studies indicate that lack of timely access to patient information [14], discontinuity of the communication, and lack of coordination between service provider and health care team members [15] are the main causes of medical errors. The use of mobile devices in terms of emergency situation and telemedicine is crucial for instant access to patient information, entry and data processing of medical records on time, and when the shift health care services changes

comfort for their users.

individuals while serving the patients [4].

80 Mobile Health Technologies - Theories and Applications

and patients' visit to the center by 24–42% [12].

for providers of health services [16, 17].

achieve high, timely, and sustainable immunization coverage [13].

care [3].

achievements [11].

We begin the following section by discussing about the necessity of mHealth in chronic disease management especially in diabetes. In next part, the advantages of mobile health in patient monitoring at two groups of agent and nonagent based system are explained. After that, we describe the challenges of patient monitoring based on mobile health systems in general and specific aspects. Finally, we explain one project as a case study about developing framework for agent-based diabetes disease management system in national level based on user's perspective.
