How can people use technology to take charge of their own health?
Information technology is empowering more people than ever before to take control of their health and well-being. Anyone with an internet-enabled smartphone can instantly talk to a doctor and get a diagnosis, get a prescription filled, text a friend to set a walking date, check on the price of fruits and vegetables at their local grocery store and so much more.
I think one of the reasons Hawai‘i has been a leader in implementing new health technology is because our geographic isolation means we have to create our own solutions. And I’m glad HMSA has played a major role in developing these solutions, whether in the community, with doctors and hospitals, or through technology.
Later this year we’re launching the Sharecare platform and smartphone app. Sharecare gives people access to all their health on their smartphone. We truly believe Sharecare will be to good health what Facebook is to social media or Amazon is to shopping online.
Physicians have seen a similar revolution in tech. We will launch the Coreo platform for physicians to help doctors manage the total health of their patients. With Coreo, a doctor and his team can which patients are overdue for a diabetes test or a cancer screening. And Coreo allows a doctor to see a patient’s health even when they’re seeing other providers, such as a visit to an urgent care clinic on the weekend. Just as Sharecare empowers the patient through tech, Coreo empowers the physician.
On Consumer-driven Health Care
Consumer-driven health care is about putting people at the center of health care. This brings tremendous advantages to businesses and employees. Health care becomes more convenient and affordable, people get better care from their doctor, and employers, who pay the vast majority of health care costs, feel confident they’re paying for excellent care. Doctors have more access to information about their patients’ health, which empowers them to deliver the best care. There really aren’t any downsides. As a practicing physician, I would never want to go back to days before consumer-driven health care.
