Alberta Health Services has launched a smartphone app to support those who are undergoing cancer treatment.
Last week Alberta Health Services launched the My Care Conversations App. According to a press release, the application will allow patients to record their conversations with their cancer care team to help reduce the stress and assist with recall and understanding.
Dr. Rithesh Ram is familiar with the new App and while it is so new, he hasn’t seen any uptake just yet but sees it having a purpose.
“I think it can be very useful,” said Dr. Ram.
Patients and families that use the app will be empowered to take a more active role in their healthcare by being able to record and re-listen to their conversations. Being able to record and re-listen to their appointments will help patients understand complex discussion points and clarify any misunderstandings. Patients can also choose to share their recordings with trusted individuals who were not able to attend the clinical visit with the cancer care team.
He adds the functionality goes beyond the recording aspect.
“I think the big aspect is the ability for patients to put their comments in, the plan they get, the questions they have going in and out to the doctor appointments, I think that is the biggest utility here,” said Dr.Ram.
He adds that while the My Care Conversation App is tailored towards cancer patients, he said any patient could benefit from the functionality of the app.
For those interested in using the AHS app, it can be found as a free download from the app store (for Apple devices) and on the Google Play store. The app has a tutorial that will walk you through the key functions of the app. In the tutorial there is information about how to prepare for your upcoming appointment, make a high-quality recording of your clinical conversation, re-listen to it after the conversation is done.
