It may sound a bit surprising, both to consumers and especially to people in the consumer electronics, IT and telecommunications industries, but the FDA is considering regulating some mobile equipment like cell phones that companies are planning to put at the center of connected health services, including such things as iPhone Apps designed for medical uses.

Mobihealthnews is offering a free report that outlines the factors that FDA is considering in how to implement these regulations. You can download it here: Report on FDA Regulation of Mobile Health

Unless much of the medical profession embraces today’s online revolution of patient education and redefines the patient-doctor relationship into a relationship of partners, many physicians are going to find themselves sitting on the sidelines.

Interesting thought isn’t it? Read more here.

Drug and device makers are urging the FDA to establish clear guidelines that will allow the industry to discuss and promote products in the unsettled world of online social media.

The FDA is hearing testimony this week from drug and device companies, online marketing experts, and consumer groups about what steps the agency should take to move medical advertising and promotion into online communities. Read more here.

Consumers want more help from their doctors in finding relevant health information on the web, but their doctors are often failing to deliver, according to new research by consumer engagement specialist Kyp and Opinion Research Corporation.  According to the study, while 76% of respondents search the internet for health information, only 22% use the web as their first port of call after they suspect a health problem – seemingly because of the confusing number of online sources.  Read more here.