Digital tools are revolutionizing healthcare, both for patients and practitioners. The pandemic has turned up the pace to unprecedented levels and we are seeing an exciting array of tech innovation designed to deliver better, more accessible care, while ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Whether for medication management, virtual appointments, access to personal health information, or overall health management, technology is making a significant impact not only on the way healthcare is delivered, but also by empowering patients to take control of their health.
In honour of Digital Health Week 2021, here’s a roundup of exciting patient-centred digital health tools.
1. PocketHealth
PocketHealth is a patient-centric easy-to-use and highly accessible image sharing platform. Patients can not only access their own medical imaging record and notes, but also share with all their healthcare providers. Instead of requesting faxes or picking a CD, PocketHealth receives records digitally, organizes them in a secure account and stores one’s entire imaging history in one place for a nominal monthly fee.
2. Medchart
Medchart allows patients to own their health information, by storing all of their records online, and simplifying the request and release of information for healthcare providers, lawyers, insurance providers and patients. Patients control who has access to their health records – and everything is in one place making it easy to manage.
3. League
League is “reimagining the health benefits experience to give people a more consumer-centric way to manage their health.” Their digital platform allows employees to access their healthcare benefits information through an easy-to-use app, that’s personalized for the user.
PAI stands for personal activity intelligence. There’s no questions that physical activity has far reaching health benefits, especially when it comes to heart health. The PAI app works with popular wearable devices to customize to your profile, factoring in sex, age and resting/max. heart rate. Based on this information and heart rate data, it calculates a PAI score. It’s been shown that achieving a weekly PAI score of 100 or more is associated with four to five years longer life when compared to those who are physically active.
SeamlessMD is a patient engagement tool that can integrate with a physician’s electronic health record system to engage patients, deliver personalized education, track and monitor patients and provide custom reports to help accelerate improvements to care. As its name indicates, this tool is creating a more seamless path for patient education and engagement.
Moodbeam is transforming the way we see mood by making it easier to understand and talk about. This wearable device also has an accompanying app that helps you visualize your mood and track various triggers. The company has formed a partnership with Agencia’s Primary Care Direct, to trial the wellbeing tool among general practitioners and clinical staff. The goal is for the data to inform managers if additional supports are needed for their team.
This prescription service allows patients to order their prescription by phone or online with fast and free shipping straight to your door. In addition to working with patients to mange medications, the online pharmacy now offers Mednow Virtual Care so that patients can speak with doctors from the comfort of their own home.
While not yet available in Canada, AppliedVR is one to watch. The company recently received FDA approval to market its EaseVRx virtual reality system to treat chronic lower back pain. The prescription device includes a VR headset and controller plus a “Breathing Amplifier” that’s used to train the user in deep breathing. Patients can participate in 56 VR sessions that use cognitive behavioral therapy to treat pain.
Interested in taking the first step towards digital?
Let’s connect!
Reach out to the Bridge/CONNECT team to learn more about how digital tools can improve collaboration and increase patient engagement and empowerment.
