Importance of symptom tracking on adherence

What is adherence? ‍

Adherence is defined as the extent to which an individual’s behaviour corresponds with the agreed-upon health care recommendations, such as taking medication or following a specific diet or exercise regime. ‍

What is digital symptom tracking?‍

Digital symptom tracking refers to the process of using digital tools, such as mobile applications and wearables, to monitor and record health indicators and symptoms over time. This approach goes beyond the conventional pen-and-paper method, offering real-time insights, automated reminders, and personalised recommendations for managing long-term health conditions.‍

The evolution of adherence in digital health apps

In recent years, adherence has been a persistent challenge in healthcare, and digital health companies, like Avegen, are stepping up to bridge the gap. By creating digital applications that utilise smartphones, users are able to monitor their health symptoms in real-time. Symptom tracking in these apps goes beyond the traditional boundaries of healthcare, offering a continuous approach to personalised care.‍

Why is symptom tracking important? *‍

The importance of symptom tracking has been highlighted over recent years for patients to spot patterns in their condition and better understand their health. It allows patients to be better prepared for their appointments, reduces the burden of remembering day to day changes in their physical symptoms, identifies triggers and compares changes over time. Overall allowing patients to feel more in control of their health.

Advantages of digital symptom tracking for adherence

• Real-Time Data Accessibility:

• Digital health apps enable users to log and track symptoms in real time, providing immediate insights into their health status.

• Access to up-to-date information empowers users to make informed decisions about their health and fosters a sense of control.

• User-Friendly Interfaces:

• The intuitive interfaces of digital health apps make symptom tracking accessible to everyone.

• User-friendly features encourage regular engagement, transforming the tracking process into a part of daily life.

• Automated Reminders and Alerts:

• Digital health apps' built-in reminders and alerts prompt users to log symptoms, take medications, or engage in positive health behaviours.

• Automated notifications enhance user adherence by reducing forgetfulness and promoting consistent tracking habits.

• Data Visualisation and Analysis:

• Digital symptom-tracking apps present data through interactive dashboards.

• Visualisation facilitates a better understanding of health trends, motivating users to adhere to prescribed treatments and lifestyle modifications.

• Personalised Insights and Recommendations:

• Digital health apps analyse symptom data to generate personalised insights.

• Tailored recommendations empower users to improve their health, reinforcing the connection between tracking and positive outcomes.

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An Avegen example ‍

In pursuit of enhancing patient outcomes and reducing relapse rates in heart conditions, Avegen has partnered with the Bucks, Oxford, and West Berkshire Integrated Care Board (BOB-ICB) to introduce Beat Better. This digital product aims to revolutionise cardiac care by leveraging digital technology to enhance patient adherence to the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program.

Examples of key features within Beat Better:

• Real-Time Symptom Tracking:

• Beat Better enables patients to log and track symptoms related to their heart conditions in real time.

• By offering a user-friendly interface, the app empowers patients to actively engage in their health management, providing immediate insights into their cardiac well-being.

• Adherence Support:

• The digital health product includes features that support and enhance patient adherence to the cardiac rehabilitation program delivered at the clinic.

• Automated reminders, personalized notifications, and progress tracking encourage patients to stay committed to their prescribed treatments and lifestyle modifications.

• Personalised Insights:

• Advanced algorithms analyse the collected data to generate personalised insights for both patients and clinicians.

• Patients receive tailored recommendations for lifestyle modifications, while clinicians can refine treatment plans based on individual responses.

• Relapse Prevention Strategies:

• Beat Better incorporates relapse prevention strategies to mitigate the risk of recurrence in heart conditions.

• Continuous monitoring allows early detection of potential issues, contributing to a reduction in relapse rates.

Conclusion

Digital health apps, like Beat Better, equipped with symptom-tracking functionalities are at the forefront of transforming healthcare into a proactive and personalised experience. By integrating technology into daily health management, these apps empower users to take charge of their own health. As companies continue to innovate in the digital health space, the incorporation of user-centric symptom-tracking features will play a pivotal role in enhancing adherence and generally improving health outcomes. As we embrace the era of digital health solutions, Avegen and Beat Better stand as a key example for improving cardiac rehabilitation outcomes through the use of symptom tracking to improve adherence.

*https://www.moregooddays.com/post/is-symptom-tracking-your-road-map-to-better-days