Photo By William Wheeler | Dr. Julie Kinn encourages health care providers to be open to their patients use of...... read more read more
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Commentary by Julie T. Kinn, Ph.D., Education and Training Lead, DHA Connected Health
Soon after arriving at a new duty station, a service member meets their new psychologist and says, “Here's an app I used with my last doctor to keep track of my depressed moods. It has been super helpful. Can we use this app together?”
The psychologist replies, “Sorry, I don't do apps.”
When I first heard this story I was blown away by the missed opportunity for patient engagement. Here was a service member who had proactively sought a way to help build insight into their symptoms, and the provider dismissed the action and, by extension, the patient.
Can you imagine if a patient brought in a paper thought log, and the provider said, “Sorry, I don't do paper.” Or handwashing, or another evidence-based medical practice. Indeed, these days it’s much more likely that our beneficiaries would carry around a mobile device than a pad of paper.
It used to be rare for a patient to come to my office with requests for specific treatment modalities or tools. However, nowadays it’s common to hear, “I was listening to a podcast and heard about a new treatment,” “Have you tried this app?” or “I'm using my smartwatch to track my sleep.”
Technology is helping patients engage in their treatment in exciting ways, including proactively learning skills and tools to change their behavior. In our desire to stick with what we know works, we should not reflexively dismiss new evidence-based treatments that can help patients. We should also not oppose patients becoming informed agents of change for their own care.
Let’s take advantage of the mobile technologies our patients are carrying in their pockets. The next time a patient tells you about an unfamiliar digital health technology, try saying, “I haven’t heard about this. Tell me all about it.” That way, you can expand your own knowledge, make sure the technology is right for the patient, and positively reinforce the patient’s proactive role in their care – a win all around.
We as military health care providers have the duty to meet patients where they are – which is increasingly online and facilitated through digital health care technology. Having your patients tell you about the new technology they are using can be an incredibly effective way to engage with your patients, encourage them to connect with their own care and ultimately improve health outcomes.
Learn more about using evidence-based health technology including mobile apps, websites and podcasts at https://health.mil/mhealthTraining.
Julie T. Kinn, Ph.D. is a clinical and research psychologist and the lead for Education and Training at the Defense Health Agency (DHA) Connected Health branch.
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 02.28.2020 12:00 |
| Story ID: | 364131 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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