Need to speak with a doctor? They can be at your fingertips in mere minutes. Want to check your blood pressure or start a new yoga program? Just take out your smartphone.
Dr. Linh Nguyen SIPMD is the Director and Founder of MD24 in Glendale Arizona, a medical office dedicated to increasing accessibility to care for its patients. Below, Dr. Linh Nguyen reports on some of the health-focused apps on the market today that are encouraging people to be more proactive in their approach to wellbeing.
As the world of telemedicine has grown significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Linh Nguyen says a recent crop of telehealth apps and new services are changing the way we manage our health..
How popular have healthcare apps become? Dr. Linh Nguyen reports that in 2020, about 87 million people in the United States used a fitness or health app every month. Doctors are on board, too. According to a GreatCall study, a whopping 93% of doctors say a patient’s health can be improved through using healthcare apps. And many doctors report they are happy to assist patients looking for an online Canadian pharmacy vs. having to physically go to a drug store to get medication.
Here are a few of the healthcare apps & services to watch out for in 2022.
TeleCovid Kiosks & Home System
Dr. Linh Nguyen SIPMD reports that while we start to learn to live with Covid-19 and with the availability of self-test Covid-19 kits, with the US Government even distributing them for free to US households, there is more need to have specialized assistance from licensed board-certified doctors. This is where the impetus for the TeleCovid and Home System started. SIPMD, is working with different groups to launch this new assistive service for groups needing assistance to manage their Covid-19 protocols.
Through the TeleCovid Home System, anyone can get tested quickly and be reassured that the results are explained to them by doctors through telemedicine.
Dr Nguyen further explained that SIPMD and its health partners are offering these services to encourage more people to get confident on the benefits of self-testing with the convenience and assurance of telemedicine.
Generis
Dr. Linh Nguyen SIPMD shared that Generis has quickly developed a big following because of its multi-functionality. You get health advice based on your DNA, recommendations on nutrition, supplements, and food, as well as fitness guidance. You can even purchase the supplements through the app.
Its DNA-based information is particularly impressive, with data culled from such genetic history sites as Ancestry.com. From there, Generis experts categorize more than 50 genetic markers that impact your overall health and wellness. It’s a fantastic window into your genes for a truly personalized healthcare experience. The workouts are similarity backed by science and tailor-made for your specific lifestyle
You get a little bit of everything with Generis says Dr. Linh Nguyen, including tailored food planning based on your needs and your body, easy-to-follow recipes, and food recommendations that include vegetarian and vegan options.
HelloMD
If you’re looking for a medical specialist, Dr. Linh Nguyen says HelloMD may be useful. The app can locate a wide variety of medical specialists, from a radiologist to a neurologist, even those who focus on very rare conditions.
The goal is to find not just a good doctor but the right doctor for you. Within a day, HelloMD helps you connect with a physician and books an appointment through a video call that can lead to follow-up care in person if you choose. It’s also a great way to sift through second opinions for treatments.
HelloMD (which shares its name with another healthcare app focused on medical marijuana) also helps keep track of your appointments, health history, and information about specific prescriptions and treatments. Doctors can even prescribe medicine or order refills all over the app — no physical appointment required.
MyFitnessPal
Dr. Linh Nguyen SIPMD explains that health trackers are nothing new, but MyFitnessPal takes it to the next level.
With the app, you can track your activity, of course, and create activity and weight goals, but you can also access tips for mindfulness and sleep, as well as log food and track fertility. You can even create meal plans and get support and advice on weight loss from the MyFitnessPal community.
Its food database is unrivaled among healthcare apps, and MyFitnessPal offers daily feedback that is insightful and encouraging about reaching whatever weight goal you may have or wherever you are on your fitness journey. It’s not pushy, but perfectly supportive.
There is also a premium option that goes deeper into nutrient content and offers even more detailed help for the fitness program you’ve decided is right for you.
MyLife
There are hundreds of meditation apps available notes Dr. Linh Nguyen SIPMD, but MyLife takes a well-rounded approach to mindfulness.
There is meditation, of course, but also other options for activities, such as yoga and breathwork, and premium subscribers have many more beneficial mindfulness exercise options, such as acupressure. MyLife is also visually stunning and appeals to all ages — but especially teens and adults — with a mix of accessible, short exercises and more in-depth exercises if you have time.
Particular attention is paid to understanding and addressing stress in your daily life, especially the impact stress can have on your body.
There are dozens of meditation approaches for free, with most lasting between 1 and 15 minutes. A multitude of audio assistance and reinforcement offers precise help for all experience levels.
Heal
Dr. Linh Nguyen notes that house calls haven’t been widely available in the medical community for almost a century but leave it to a new app to bring them back.
A general healthcare app that includes both doctor house calls and telemedicine, continues to expand across the United States. It offers lower health costs for all, but particularly for older Americans who rely on Medicare. It also is a great alternative for people without health insurance, says there are flat fees for both telemedicine services ($79) and house calls ($159).
