Kwame Ahene - November 8, 2010
In a recent Chilmark research article, we are introduced to the term Collaborative Health Records (CHRs). While sweet and encompassing in name, the implications of this novel health recording system have the capability of changing the contours of how we perceive all electronic health information systems.
As mentioned in the article, divisions between patient centric and hospital centric health records can create a potential problem of hindering care rather than promoting it. CHRs are defined as a collaborative effort that seamlessly link EHRs and PHRs, which are geared towards the medical community and patients respectively.
Information liquidity remains to be a pertinent issue and it seems as though the development of the “Collaborative Health Record” can bring light to the situation. Cerner’s Health 2.0 demonstration of Cerner Health and Cerner Active presents a comparable model of how CHRs may work in the future. Within their model, information is seamlessly shared between the two applications. Even with increased liquidity, many questions can be asked of its viability.
On another note, current market fluxes like Google’s tango with their PHR and Epic’s release of their MyChart iPhone app have been steamrolling the competition in EHR installations. Meanwhile, Verizon and Orange Telecom have been providing larger Health Information Exchange (HIE) infrastructures to push adaptation towards to CHRs from EHRs and PHRs too.
Until then, I pose this question: What are the largest barriers you see blocking full adoption of CHRs?
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Kwame Ahene - November 3, 2010
What I remember most about my family trips to Ghana is the contradictory reality that exists between the city and the countryside. The city, populated with people to the hilt, was full of exuberant energy. The countryside was densely populated with thick brush and 50 foot palm trees, which prompted lazy afternoons catching up with family that I had not seen since my last visit.
One thing that both regions shared was the improvement in infrastructure, in particular telecommunications. I saw with each subsequent visit my relatives become as internet savvy as me while cell phone coverage expanded. Now I can communicate and catch up with them on Facebook Chat.
Many health organizations across the world have seen the opportunities created by the advancements in communication and have taken action to improve medication compliance through the applied use of SMS systems and medication reminders.
In Kenya, doctors are utilizing weekly text messages to check in on patients with HIV. They have found that these weekly reminders, which inquire whether a patient needs medical assistance, may be useful in the developing world.
Here in the United States, Katherine Hobson’s Wall Street Journal article documents how the principle of behavioral economics – “ the science behind the beneficial nudge to help consumers improve their decisions” can be applied to reduce medication non-compliance. CVS Caremark’s Behavioral Change Research Partnership (BCRP) researchers find that people are twice as likely renew their medication if prompted before it runs out rather than afterwards.
Applied use of this regimen would benefit stroke victims of whom, according to an OHS article, a quarter stop taking one or more of their medications within three months.
With all the advancements in technology occurring at a fast pace across the world, health care organizations have the capability to improve people’s well-being. Additionally with the help of SMS enabled phones, health reporting has become portable and the adoption of health-geared mobile applications is becoming more of a necessity in the rapidly evolving world that we live in.
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Kwame Ahene - October 14, 2010
In the 21st Century, technology has become commonplace in all areas of our lives. For instance, during a typical weekend morning ritual, I check my phone for any missed calls, check and respond to my e-mail, then text my friends to see if they want to play basketball later on in the day.
Throughout the day I continue the correspondence, organizing and planning my weekend’s festivities while commenting on my friends’ Facebook, geolocating my position on Foursquare, and discovering new nightspots on Yelp. (more…)
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Alex Bettencourt - March 19, 2010
The launch of RememberItNow! mobile is catching a lot of buzz! Recently, John Farrell of MobileHealthWatch.com snagged a few minutes with our busy CEO, Pam Swingley.
Listen in and discover how RememberItNow! has evolved from desktop software to the addition of new mobile features, a new medical history section, and much more. In addition to describing all the new functions, Pam also shares her thoughts on the future of eHealth and how it can improve medication compliance.
Mobile HealthWatch.com is dedicated to point of care and mobile health news and resources. Read more about more coverage on RememberItNow! from MobileHealthWatch.com here.
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Alex Bettencourt - March 15, 2010
Do you ever forget the name of your medications, or wish you had a list of your medical history when you were at the doctor? Have you ever wished you could quickly check on a loved one, but didn’t have time to call…
Now with RememberItNow! Mobile you can do all that! RememberItNow! can be accessed anytime with any smart phone that has web-browsing capabilities.
Manage Your Medications and History
Keep your medical history close at hand, wherever you are. Your simple-to-follow medication schedule or event calendar can be viewed in the palm of your hand. Also, organize and track all your medications and supplements with special instructions and prescription information, without even logging onto a computer.
Caregiving Support
RememberItNow! mobile helps caregivers by keeping medical information handy for multiple patients. Caregivers or long distance family members can use the journal to coordinate care and make a quick note of last-minute instructions.
Mobile Health Tools
Record health stats anytime, anywhere. View your overall wellness and get a 360 degree view of your health.
RememberItNow! mobile health tools also helps you quickly find websites in a snap, rather than browsing forever. And if you can’t remember your password for certain sites, we’ve got that covered too!
Everything is safe and secure with RememberItNow! mobile, just like it is on your laptop, or desktop. We’ve made our eHealth on-the-go so you spend less time worrying, and more time living.
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Alex Bettencourt - March 8, 2010
At the end of 2009 there were 4.6 billion mobile phone users around the globe. By the end of 2010 this number is expected to reach 5 billion. And in 2014 Mary Meeker of Morgan Stanley predicts there will be 2,776 MM 3G global users, this means 43% of the population!
In North America 260,575,000 people are expected to have smart phones! This means 74% of the population will be busy browsing the web and text messaging away on their phones constantly!
Why is this new behavior catching the attention of health industry leaders and government officials? Because the more people have access to smart phones, the more popular mHealth will be; which leads to more money and lives saved. (more…)
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