The digital health universe can seem intimidating at times. With mobile health apps, electronic medical records, wearable devices, and telemedicine taking up all the space, where do you fit in?
Get ready to learn more about digital health and how it could change your life for the better.
What is digital health?
Put simply; digital health is a term that covers all the ideas, products, and research resulting from two things meeting: technology and our health.
Digital health connects healthcare systems with technology like smart devices and communication media – such as text messages, emails, and video – to help doctors, nurses, and patients manage health conditions and promote well-being.
Over the years, technology has become a bigger and bigger part of the healthcare system, from digital therapeutics and wearable devices, such as Fitbits and smart watches, to remote patient monitoring, telemedicine, and more.
How does digital health help?
The potential of digital health on the experiences of healthcare professionals and patients is positive and exciting.
Healthcare professionals, researchers, and scientists are using technology to find new ways of working and improving health outcomes.
Making healthcare more accessible
Digital tools like smartphones, social networks, and apps offer new ways for you to monitor and have access to the information you need to take a more active role in your health.
With so much of the world’s population owning a smartphone, access to digital health tools that could help you manage and track your health and wellness-related activities is at an all-time high.
Reducing pressure on the healthcare system
In a post-pandemic world, healthcare systems and workers are overloaded, and digital health tools may help reduce this burden.
Medical professionals are looking for new ways to treat pain, disease, and addiction, and digital health tools can address critical gaps in healthcare.
Who is digital health for?
Digital health is for everyone! It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old; digital health can support you throughout your health journey.
Whatever your situation, digital health can offer you ways to manage and take control of your health.
From tracking nutrition to learning about symptoms and triggers, connecting with coaches, improving sleep hygiene, and making time for mindfulness, digital health tools are designed to be both simple and accessible.
Sidekick’s digital health programs
Certain digital health tools can support you to better self-manage your condition and stick with your treatment plan.
Sidekick’s digital health programs are designed to help you make decisions that will improve your quality of life. For example, the mindfulness features in Sidekick’s programs – including relaxation, meditation, and stress-management exercises – could help you to reduce your stress levels.
Some digital health programs, like the Sidekick programs detailed below, also offer virtual coaching and guidance, connecting you with people who can support you when you need it. Available via your smartphone anytime, anywhere, digital health apps can support you in making positive decisions about your well-being around the clock.
Below are some of the programs that live inside the Sidekick mobile app. Here’s a look at how each has been designed to support people living with that specific condition.
Atopic Dermatitis
Research shows that sticking to a treatment plan is an important factor in reducing the symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD), otherwise known as eczema. It also indicates that stress can trigger flare-ups. Sidekick’s AD program helps people living with eczema tackle those things with features like:
- Medication reminders
- Symptom tracking tools
- Healthy sleep tips
- Tools to break the itch-scratch cycle
- Educational content
- Access to a lifestyle coach
I liked the educational videos very much, especially as I wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to exchange ideas with those who are going through the same thing. I really felt understood!
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) affects the lining of your joints, causing painful swelling. RA is associated with increased stress levels, sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. With this in mind, the Sidekick RA program was designed to encourage users to:
- Track their symptoms and triggers
- Learn new ways to manage stress
- Build an exercise routine that works for them
- Understand their condition
- Get support from a professional health coach
As an RA program coach, I can review patients’ progression and look for variants or improvement opportunities, and then directly coach them towards their goals by giving them feedback and tips based on their individual needs and inputs.
Crohn’s Disease
Due to social stigma and the unpredictable nature of the disease, living with Crohn’s disease can strongly impact people’s lives and negatively affect their mental health. Sidekick’s Crohn’s program helps people living with the condition to play a more active role in their healthcare daily by:
- Building disease-specific knowledge
- Sharing stress-reduction techniques
- Encouraging mindfulness and self-compassion
- Maintaining a healthy diet plan
- Educating on sleep hygiene
It is really easy to use and because it can be tailored to the user, the whole experience is very personal. Because of the regular tips and nudges it becomes much easier for you to pay attention to your lifestyle and to avoid behaviors that can make your condition worse.
Hopefully, this introduction has left you feeling inspired by the digital health universe and keen to be part of it. Hungry for more?
Explore our other articles and take a look at our programs to learn more about Sidekicks’ digital health options and what they could do for you.
