After ResearchKit, Apple unveils CareKit to build health apps

Last year, Apple had announced its health initiative aimed at connecting medical researchers with iPhone -ResearchKit. Now, it is followed by the newest CareKit announcement at yesterday’s event.

Both are open source software platforms. ResearchKit is an open source software framework for apps that let medical researchers gather robust and meaningful data. Similarly, CareKit is an open source software framework for apps that let you better understand and manage your medical conditions.

CareKit allows users to manage their own medical conditions and also share information with details. For this, apps will be created by CareKit developers. Apple plans to launch the platform next month with the Parkinson Disease app that will help with tracking the effectiveness of the medicines and also a post surgery app that will ensure best recovery. While the first app created with CareKit is for people suffering from Parkinson’s, Apple has said the tool has far more potential.

Developers will have to work on the first four modules that are designed by Apple namely, Care Card, Symptom and Measurement Tracker, Insight Dashboard and Connect. These four modules help tracking care plans, record how a patient is feeling, map symptoms and also share information with doctors. It also has seven partners on board including Johns Hopkins Medicine, PDCNY (Parkinson’s Disease Care, New York) and Stanford Medicine.

“Developers are already using the CareKit framework to create personal care apps. Soon you’ll be able to use apps that incorporate CareKit modules such as Care Card and Insight Dashboard. You’ll also be able to connect directly with your care team. Here are a few of the first apps,” Apple writes.

At the event, Apple also spoke about the success of ResearchKit. With ResearchKit, developers can build new iPhone apps that can gather heath-related data and from the Apple Health app as well. The data will then be used by doctors and scientists to study diseases. “The sheer number of iPhone users around the globe means that apps built on ResearchKit can enrol participants and gather data in bigger numbers than ever,” says Apple.

“You no longer have to travel to a hospital or a facility to complete tasks and fill out questionnaires. Instead, you can perform activities using the advanced sensors in an iPhone to generate incredibly precise data wherever you are, providing a source of information that’s more objective than ever before,” Apple adds.

Some of the existing apps based on ResearchKit framework include Asthma Health app, MyHeart counts and Parkinson mPower, among others. The list of Apple devices supporting ResearchKit and CareKit apps include iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE and also the newest iPod touch.