Health: How Safe Are Medical Apps?

By Dr. Brian McDonough

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Many medical journals are concerned about social media as well as apps that people are using to improve their health. Both the Journal of the American Medical Association and the British Medical Journal have taken a serious look at whether apps are safe, effective, and whether they can benefit people.

Arguments against apps are that people can become hypochondriacs - over concerned about certain issues. And they may not have evidence based medicine helping them.

Arguments in favor are it's information that can be used for someone to take control of their own health and make positive changes.

A final key point remains. Who is regulating the approval of these apps and how are they being monitored?