Apple health and various applications have come a long way since it was first introduced.

Back in 2014, I started posting information about Apple Health and how it will be helpful for patients and physicians alike. ( https://themedicalstrategist.com/blog/websites/medical-speak-wi…-apple-healthkit/ ‎)

Last year one of my posts stated what makes Apple health different is that this time, is that many doctors’ EHRs have affiliated portals and Apple PHRs now interoperable with them. In the first phase, Apple is offering PHRs for iPhones to hospitals with portals, to Beta test with their patients.

Apple has rolled out an update to its Health app with the latest version of the iOS network, iOS 11.3, to facilitate access to medical data from their smartphone in conjunction to multiple providers.   This will make the record more complete without information or assessments and diagnoses falling through the cracks. In a very real sense, Apple completes you!

Apple’s approach to Health Records is based on Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR), a standard for transferring electronic medical records.  The Health Records data is encrypted and protected with the user’s iPhone passcode, according to a company press release.

According to Jeff Williams, the COO of Apple:

“We’ve worked closely with the health community to create an experience everyone has wanted for years — to view medical records easily and securely right on your iPhone,” said Jeff Williams, Apple COO said in a company statement.  “By empowering customers to see their overall health, we hope to help consumers better understand their health and help them lead healthier lives.”

“Apple Health Records is popping up in more and more health systems across the country, making the patient care experience more convenient and easily accessible at patients’ fingertips, available on their respective iPhone.”

“With Allscripts announcing that Apple Health Records is now available for Allscripts Sunrise, TouchWorks and Professional EHR clients and their patients, the app is becoming more prevalent throughout health systems.”

“We’re excited to integrate our Allscripts Sunrise™ electronic health record system with Health Records on iPhone,” said Blessing Health System’s Chief Information Officer, Lea Ann Eickelschulte. “When patients have their medical records easily available in one view right on their phone, the entire patient care experience improves – patients have a better understanding of their overall health and clinicians have access to important information regarding their patient’s medical history, right when they need it.”

Instead of logging in to multiple provider websites or attempting to find paper copies of their medical records, the patient will have access to their medical information right on their iPhone. With just one tap on the screen, the individual can easily access their allergies, conditions, immunizations, lab results, medications, procedures, and vitals.

Apple worked with the healthcare community to take a consumer-friendly approach, creating Health Records based on FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources), a standard for transferring electronic medical records.

“Although some patients may be wary of their private medical documents on their phone, Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook prides himself on Apple being a trustworthy technology company. When health record data is transferred from a healthcare institution to the Health app, it is encrypted and does not navigate through Apple’s network, the company says. The individual can utilize their iPhone passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID to keep their information safe and secure.”

“People will look at this and feel that they can trust Apple,” Cook said in an NPR interview. “That’s a key part of anyone that you’re working with on your health.”

Having Apple Health as part of your digital health record system shows you to be a thought-leader and standing out over your other colleagues.  Patients want to see the doctor who is up-to-date with healthcare delivery.

This is one of many ways to promote yourself and make health delivery easy for you and your patients as well.

Let’s discuss other strategies to promote yourself.  Contact Barbara@TheMedicalStrategist.com and we can discuss your needs.