Better Health? There’s an App for That

Healthcare doesn’t happen only in the doctor’s office anymore. Many patients use tech to manage their health. Here are 6 apps to benefit your patients.

6 healthcare apps that benefit patients

You have lots of patients, but you probably see most of them only a handful of times every year. And, while you answer their questions and address their problems during those appointments, they have healthcare needs all year long. Thanks to technology, you can help them get the health guidance they need even when they can’t see you.

For patients with access to a smartphone, tablet or computer, several healthcare-related apps can support their efforts to manage their health between visits to your office. To get the most out of each app, make sure they are compatible with your patient portal. And be sure to tell your patients many apps cost money, and some don’t accept insurance.

Here are six apps you can recommend.

MySugr

Your patients with diabetes have a lot to think about — their blood sugar, carb intake, A1C levels and more. That’s a lot of numbers to keep track of every day. MySugr works like a logbook to help them monitor this data over time, including blood sugar, insulin, exercise and meals. This way, your patients can see patterns and pinpoint where they could improve their diabetes management. In addition, the app can automatically connect to some diabetes devices and Google Fit® or Apple Health® to integrate any fitness information. Your patients can also customize the app to correctly calculate their insulin bolus.

Better Help

Mental health is becoming a larger component of primary care. For your patients who struggle with anxiety, depression, anger, grief, personality disorders, eating disorders or more, this app can provide convenient, 24/7 access to one of 30,000 licensed therapists. After filling out a questionnaire to determine their needs, the app pairs patients with a provider. Treatment is individualized, and patients can contact their therapist through the app at any time. The app also offers group webinars for additional support.

EyeCare Live

Getting an eye appointment can sometimes take months. This app can connect your patients with an eye doctor much faster. Patients with a current glasses or contacts prescription take an online vision test before the app pairs them with a board-certified optometrist or ophthalmologist for a video visit. In addition to providing prescription renewals or updates, providers can address symptoms for red eye, pink eye, styes, eye allergies and swelling, as well as other non-emergency eye conditions.

MDacne

As with eye care, your patients frequently wait months to see a dermatologist. This app eliminates that delay — virtually. First, patients take a short quiz to provide details about their acne and snap a selfie in a well-lit room. Then, using artificial intelligence, the app analyzes their skin and makes treatment recommendations, including chemical treatments and natural remedies. In addition to sending a treatment package to their home, the app sets treatment reminders and connects patients to a dermatologist within minutes through its chat feature.

Sleep Cycle

During routine visits, you likely advise your patients to get enough sleep. But that’s not always as easy as it sounds. In addition to a standard alarm feature, this app listens to your patient as they sleep to assess the quality of their rest and make recommendations to improve it. By tracking when they snore and analyzing their daily habits and activities, the app can alert patients to things preventing them from getting a good night’s rest. It also offers music, meditations and stories to help your patients relax at night before sleep.

MyPlate

Managing nutrition to lose or maintain a healthy weight can be a struggle. Your patients may need help keeping track of calories or choosing the right foods. This app offers a large food database that includes calorie count, nutritional information and serving size information. With nutritionist-based guidance, your patients can choose recipes and create personalized meal plans with weekly shopping lists to meet their dietary needs and preferences. The app also produces daily nutrition charts — which your patient can share with you — that detail how much fat, protein and carbohydrates they consume.

Here’s the bottom line: You do a great job taking care of your patients, but you can’t see them every day. These apps allow you to support their health even with your busy schedule. Suggesting they download these tools can give them peace of mind and show them their health is your top priority.

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