Selecting websites and apps

Basic criteria:

When selecting a health website or application (app) you need to be sure and do your research beforehand. 

First, you need to make sure you are dealing with a reputable website or application. 

Read the reviews for the applications before downloading them to your device.

Research and see what the credentials of the people have that created the application or program. Also, see when the application or program was last updated to verify the most recent information. 

Ask a healthcare provider about applications and programs that may be helpful for your condition. Chances are they have dealt with others with the same condition, and would have some good recommendations. Also, some programs and applications have in app purchases, but should never ask for your social security number. 

Protect yourself and your identity whenever you are using programs or applications!

    
 One main thing to protect your confidentiality with your health information on your phone or computer is to have a password set up. This enables you to have access to the information, but nobody else unless they also have the password. 

Another good rule of thumb is don’t post anything online that you don’t want out in public. This will help protect your information by not sharing anything you don’t want out in the open to begin with.

Benefits of Keeping Digital Health Records, Security & Confidentiality Concerns

Benefits of accessing and maintaining personal health records and using patient portals

Using a personal health record (PHR) is an important way to manage your own health records. The benefits can include managing your appointments, test results, and prescriptions. You may have to scan in or type in most of the information, but then it is at your fingertips for use at a later time. The PHR generally does not connect to your doctor, but you can input and share information from it with your doctor when you are at your appointment.

Security and Confidentiality Concerns

You need to be careful with your confidentiality with a PHR and using patient portals. 

Be sure to create a secure password and not reveal that password to anyone else. 

See if you are able to install and enable encryption on your mobile device. 

Install a firewall on your computer and mobile device to help block out unwanted hackers. 
Keep control of your computer and mobile device at all times to prevent others getting ahold of your medical information.

Suggested applications and websites

  
Some reputable applications and programs

SmokeFree

Ovana

Pill Reminder

                  Applications:

Myfitnesspal, 

Pill Reminder, 

Omvana, 

SmokeFree, 

AskMD,

                            and many more

          Websites:

•  CDC -  https://www.cdc.gov/

• Healthfinder -     https://healthfinder.gov/

• Mayo Clinic -     http://www.mayoclinic.org/
   
• Medlineplus -       https://medlineplus.gov/

• WebMD -        http://www.webmd.com/

Refences for posts

References

Federal Communications Commission. (n.d.). Getting broadband. Retrieved February 7, 2017, from https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/getting-broadband

Find Quality Resources. (2015, March 25). Retrieved March 18, 2017, from https://www.healthit.gov/patients-families/find-quality-resources

Goodwill Community Foundation International. (n.d.). Computer Basics: Understanding Operating Systems. Retrieved February 7, 2017, from http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/understanding-operating-systems/1/ 

Griffith, Eric. (2016). What is Cloud Computing? PC Mag, 2. Retrieved February 7, from http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372163,00.asp 

How to Choose the Best Health Apps for Patients. (2016, October 21). Retrieved March 18, 2017, from https://blog.rendia.com/choose-best-health-apps-patients/

How you can protect and secure health information when using a mobile device. (2015, March 25). Retrieved March 18, 2017, from https://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/how-can-you-protect-and-secure-health-information-when-using-mobile-device

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015, April 11). Healthy Lifestyle: Stress Management. Support Groups: Make connections, get help. Retrieved March 18, 2017, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/support-groups/art-20044655?pg=1

University Health Service. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2017, from https://www.uhs.umich.edu/websites

What you can do to protect your health information. (2015, March 25). Retrieved March 18, 2017, from https://www.healthit.gov/patients-families/what-you-can-do-protect-your-health-information

Basic Computer Information

Some basic info to improve your computer literacy:

·         An Internet Service Provider will allow your home computer to connect to the internet and get online information. A broadband connection is a high-speed connection to the internet. Internet Service and/or a broadband connection is needed to transfer data to and from your doctor’s office or the cloud (see below).  Having wireless access means your computer or personal device can use the internet without being plugged in to the router used to provide your internet service.

·         A browser is a computer program used to view and interact with webpages on the internet. Microsoft’s Windows Internet Explorer/Edge, Google’s Chrome, and Mozilla’s Firefox are three examples of commonly used browsers.

·         Random access memory (RAM) is where a computer stores the information it is currently using. The computer stores permanent information on the hard drive. The more data the computer is currently using the more RAM is required to hold that data. When the RAM is full, the computer performs caching of some of the RAM data to the hard drive. Caching means to save the data. This temporarily frees up space in RAM for other tasks. Hard drive access is much slower than RAM access which means that if the computer doesn’t have a lot of RAM, it spends more time moving data not required for the current task to and from the hard drive.

·         Cloud computing is using the internet for storing information instead of the computer’s hard drive. Microsoft OneDrive, Apple’s iCloud, and most of Google’s services like Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Maps all use cloud technology by storing their data online.
      You could use a spreadsheet program, like Google Sheets, that is stored online to record blood glucose readings or daily health information. That way, if you are not at home with your personal computer you can still upload your information and send it to your physician. This is also a good idea if you’re worried about the storage capacity of your personal computer’s hard drive.

Recommended Online Support Groups

Some Recommended Virtual Support Groups

·         For a comprehensive list of some of the largest support groups: https://online.supportgroups.com/

·         For any mental health issues including addictions search this list:

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/find-support-groups

·         For any conditions related to the lungs: http://www.lung.org/support-and-community/online-support-communities/

·         For any diseases related to the heart: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Support/Support_UCM_001103_SubHomePage.jsp

·         For cancer support groups: http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/find-support/online-support

·         For online conversations about diabetes: http://community.diabetes.org/home

Virtual Support Groups

Information regarding the use of virtual support groups, security and confidentiality concerns. 

·         A virtual support group is when people who have a common health condition come together online to share information. Often they share personal experiences and offer each other support or encouragement. They may even give each other ideas about how to deal with some of the challenges you face with your illness or situation.

·         The group can help you make connections with other people that have similar problems to yours, which can help you feel less alone in your situation. It can help you deal with your condition, but it shouldn’t be used in place of what your doctor tells you. Your doctor should remain your main source of information about your personal healthcare.

·         Be careful not to share any identifying information in support groups such as any part of your name, address, phone number, or health record numbers. Most groups are open to anyone, so you must be careful.