Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson are among the big medical firms partnering with IBM to collect patient data and create health-related apps, according to the Rapid News Network report.
Here are six things to know about the partnership:
1. The data will be collected from willing patients and IBM will convert data into apps for fitness, nutrition, heart-rate and blood pressure.
2. Watson technology is monitoring the health data stores under a cloud-based service.
3. Researchers, insurers, physicians and hospitals as well as potentially individual patients could receive insight from the data.
4. IBM is devoting around 2,000 consultants worldwide to the new healthcare venture, with some new hires in addition to currently existing consultants.
5. J&J plans to work with the Watson technology to enhance postoperative patient care after orthopedic hip and knee surgery.
6. The apps could also help businesses work with employees to manage health needs.