Apps Can Help Manage Chronic Diseases

Apps Can Help Manage Chronic Diseases.

Johns Hopkins researchers introduced EpiWatch, designed to use Apple Watch to collect patient data through the open source ResearchKit framework, also an Apple design. The app, which runs on Apple Watch and iPhone, collects data from patients with epilepsy before, during and after their seizures. Over 2.5 million people are living with epilepsy in the United States. The data gathered by the app, including physiological changes, altered responsiveness and other characteristics of recurrent seizures, were used by researchers to better understand epilepsy and to develop new methods for monitoring and managing the disease and the role of technology. “Physicians often ask patients to record their seizures. But that can be hard, especially when a patient loses consciousness. EpiWatch collects data that help researchers better understand epilepsy, while helping patients keep a more complete history of their seizures,” says Gregory Krauss, M.D., professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “The app also provides helpful tracking of seizures, prescription medication use and drug side effects — activities that are important in helping patients manage their condition.” Johns Hopkins’ EpiWatch modules enable research participants to complete an interactive, informed consent; track their seizures in real time, including prompts on the Apple Watch testing awareness; and answer research surveys and other tasks. Users can review their data and compare their symptoms to others in their demographic with similar seizures. The back-end data solution is being provided by Acuma Health, a division of Smart Monitor, via a secure health informatics platform that protects patient information and provides custom analytics dashboards to researchers. This is just one example of how apps are being deployed in this emerging field of digital medicine to assist doctors and researchers in managing chronic illnesses. There are many more factors that contribute to the potential success of digital medicine. Read further in the link below. Credit John Hopkins Medicine.

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https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-apps-can-help-manage-chronic-diseases-1498443120