There are many different types and styles of apps one can use to manage their health care at home. It can be very difficult choosing which apps to use, and really it comes down to what your preferences are. It can be very easy to get distracted and side tracked or get analysis paralysis and never come to that perfect match. I feel the easiest way to manage this is to pick a brand and keep your exploration within that brand until you decide that it is not meant for you.

Johan Combstock Compiled a list of Apples top 22 health care apps which can be accessed here: https://www.mobihealthnews.com/content/apples-top-22-patient-facing-personal-care-apps. Her list of options covers a wide variety of health related topics including mental health, physical health and check ups, and personal charts so one can track their health progress much like the Fitbit. Apple has a long standing history of producing excellent products, and they are compatible with the apple iPhones and iPods which are very popular.

This gives you an excellent place to start, and a narrow list of 22 apps covering a broad range of health care topics. Get started in your selection of the app that best fits your needs!

How do you know if your information is secure? Kour provides some great ideas in her article which can be accessed here: https://www.healthworkscollective.com/best-practices-ensure-healthcare-mobile-app-security/ Some suggestions she has is to make sure the data is encrypted, make sure the app is up to date, and checking the app to see if it is HIPPA compliant.

 

Reference

Combstock, J. (2017, January 19). Apples Top 22 Patient Facing Personal Care Apps. In Mobi Health News. Retrieved from https://www.mobihealthnews.com/content/apples-top-22-patient-facing-personal-care-apps

 

Kour, B. (2017, NOvember 28). Best Practices to Ensure Healthcare Mobile App Security. In Health Works Collective. Retrieved from https://www.healthworkscollective.com/best-practices-ensure-healthcare-mobile-app-security/

Because everyone is using different devices, it is hard to tell if your device is up to date enough or if it has the correct software to run the health apps. Below are links to update your Apple and Android devices.

For apple products you can access the support page to update your iso, or click the link here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204204

For those using an Android device, you can click here: https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/how-to-update-android-phone

References

Apple INC (2018) Apple Support. Retrieved from https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204204

T-MOBILE USA, INC (2018). How To Update Android Phone. Retrieved from https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/how-to-update-android-phone

 

 

Although there are many apps to help support mental health, there are many virtual support groups who offer instant support to those who need a little more some times. Because I am a Trauma nurse and see a lot of suicidal patients, this page is dedicated to supporting suicide prevention. After looking up several support groups, I found that the best number to call is the national support/ prevention number. 1800-273-8255 (talk). There is a link to the website provided here: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

There are many support groups for other types of needs such as cancer survivors, mental health, and many support groups for specific needs. I wish I could provide one website that contains all of them, but a quick google search should bring up what you need.

Reference

(2018) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Retrieved from https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Because I work for Intermountain Health, I have used the My Health and it is very easy and convenient to use. Once registered you can view lab results, track your health history, and get reminders about appointments. It only works within the Intermountain network. A link for registration is here: https://intermountainhealthcare.org/patient-tools/my-health/how-to-register/

Many health care companies have a similar system for patients to manage their health records. You may even be able to record your data on your health app onto the patient portal. When you have selected your health care provider you can sign up for the system they use.

Reference

(2018). My Health Registration. Patient Tools. Retrieved form https://intermountainhealthcare.org/patient-tools/my-health/how-to-register/

 

Health care is changing from a hospital based system to a ‘in your home’ system. Where patients used to have to go to the clinic or the hospital to receive care, now they can get the information on the internet, or even have a clinician ‘check up’ on them through a device all within the patients home. Patients are also able to keep track of their own health care information, and some systems will notify the physician of changes that the patient experiences immediately.

If this communication between devices is required, you should follow the guidelines given by your physician. Ventola found that 70% of physicians in school report using at least one favorite health care app, and 50% use the app at least daily. He also gives our references to how those apps can be used as mentioned above.

If you do not need an app that communicates with a provider, see the page on selecting your personal healthcare app!

Reference

Ventola, C. L. (2014, May). Mobile Devices and Apps for Health Care Professionals: Used and Benefits. Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 39, 356- 364. 

Hello! My name is Aaron, I am a Trauma nurse in the Emergency Department, and I am still in school. This blog is to satisfy an assignment regarding Health Apps.

Thanks for joining me! Between the blog pages you should be able to find a health care app that fits your needs and learn how to get started in managing your own health care information. Because so many of the programs are different from each other, this blog is very basic and to be used as a simple start up guide.

Have fun and good luck!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton