First the dramatic lead. We’re facing a health care crisis of enormous proportions. The
cost of care is already rising, but the combination of an aging population and
changes to diet and lifestyle leaves a growing percentage of the population
susceptible to chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes,
which further drive health care costs.
Now, for
an overly simple response to the dramatic lead. Then let’s not do those things
that will lead to higher health care costs. Well, one of those things is
desirable – to age would suggest that we’re continuing to live. So, let’s focus
on the others – changes to diet and lifestyle.
Affecting
changes to lifestyle or diet may not be as expensive as you think. In some
cases it might even be free. And, it may even be fun. But it won’t happen in
the exam room. After all, that’s where you raise the flag for your patient and where
it later becomes clear as to whether or not what you have suggested is working.
Since
it’s not the exam room, then where? Your patient’s ever present smartphone.
Yeah, let’s tap into that and see if we can affect their behavior toward a
better health outcome.
Did I say,
“Tap into?” Uh huh. And that leads us to this: Five Apps That Promote Health
and Wellness via patient smartphones.
1.
My Medical ($2.99) Start
by being organized. This app allows patients to manage their medical conditions
by maintaining better records including recent doctor visits, labs, X-rays and medical
procedures. Patients can keep track of their records, family members and loved
ones, which is helpful for parents and caregivers – and you
2. Pill Reminder
($.99)
Months ago we discussed the impact a text reminder had on health outcomes for
those taking prescription meds. Clearly, people have trouble remembering to
take their medication whether it’s a daily multivitamin or a medication for
treatment of a chronic condition. This app could save a life by simply
reminding the patient to take their medicine.
3.
Meal Snap ($.99) What
if you could snap a photo of your meal and automatically know how many calories
of food were on your plate? This app does that. Could calorie counting get any
easier? You can also share what you’re eating with others to build a network of
social accountability. Maybe someone will call you out the next time you snap a
photo of a beautifully plated chicken and waffles.
4.
White Noise (Free) Studies
say that most of us aren’t getting enough sleep and many of your peers suggest
that certain health issues could be managed by meditation instead of
medication. But how do you get the rest or take the time out? The white noise app
drowns out distracting sounds so that you can relax or sleep. Sleep or meditate
instead of medicate? I like the sound of that.
5.
Pedometer (Free) Your
patient probably has to put down the smartphone when you walk into the exam
room. It’s ever present. So, why not use the built-in GPS to transform their
iPhone into a pedometer that tracks how far they walk? Set a goal for your
patient to walk however many steps a day. Regular exercise can lead to weight
loss, reduced blood pressure, improve cholesterol and lead to other positive
health changes – one step at a time.
Look,
that’s just five that help patients be better organized, take their meds, eat
better, rest better, and get regular exercise. I’m not even going to get into
the apps that allow patients to pee on a stick to determine whether or not they
have an STD. Or, apps that allow users to study intestinal wellness by comparing
photos of their stools to healthy stools on the way to your helping them to
diagnosis bowel related illnesses. Oops, too late guess I did get into those.
So let’s
keep it simple. Perhaps you can help your patient focus on their well being and
we can all work to lower health care costs by simply learning to utter what in
most industries is already a tired phrase, “there’s an app for that.” Sorry, I had to say it.
Wanna talk about it? Hit me up at www.twitter.com/timbigfish
