NHS Apps Library - Health + Injury

John Hardy

14/03/2013 at 16:10

Dear All, Sorry I have not been about much but I have been getting a Knee Arthroscopy eSupport App prepared for the launch of this new NHS facility. http://apps.nhs.uk/

Dave The Ex- Spartan pirate

pirate

14/03/2013 at 16:20

Wow

seren nos

pirate

14/03/2013 at 16:23

But is doesn't help us runners who have a sore knee and want to know whats wrong with it and how to mend it quickly

John Hardy

14/03/2013 at 18:22

Seren,

You are correct. There is no chance of the digital world taking over the traditional medical skill of taking a History to elicit clinical symptoms, performing an Examination to elicit clinical signs and confirming a diagnosis with Special Investigations like an MRI. If so I would be out of a job.

The Knee Arthroscopy eSupport App is to educate and allow patients to collect their own essential information following knee injury. It is not for patients who self medicate after minor injury (the great majority). It is for athletes with persistent pain more than 6 weeks who have sought a professional opinion.

Hope this helps.

Dave The Ex- Spartan pirate

pirate

14/03/2013 at 19:21

But if you have sought professional opinion, why do you need the app ? Wouldn't the professional have told you all you need to know ?

John Hardy

16/03/2013 at 08:16

Good point Dave the Ex-Spartan.

However, many patients are like rabbits in headlights. They forget what has been said in the 15 minute consult allowed in the NHS. They then get home and a partner asks what the doctor said?

This gives the patient the ability to save the diagnosis and proposed treatment in their PDA. They can save important contact details and appointments.

Not many will know the questions to ask a surgeon at the next consult, what to take in to hospital, what rehab to do after. It is all in this App to use with your consultant to get the best patient-doctor interaction possible.

Ultimately, it will help to either reassure a patient or expose a doctors shortfalls.

Hope this Helps

Dave The Ex- Spartan pirate

pirate

16/03/2013 at 13:38

Perhaps the doctor should make sure the person has understood, poor consultation skills make for a poor doctor

John Hardy

21/03/2013 at 06:59

That would be great no doubt. I agree that doctors in particular should have good communication skills. I am always trying to improve mine and if you were to review the app you would see that for a patient attending a consultation about a knee problem the ability to retain the information provided and have it at hand is enhanced by the App.

Dave The Ex- Spartan pirate

pirate

21/03/2013 at 09:40

My information: Includes ability to personalise with your own diagnosis and proposed treatment, contact details, emergency phone numbers etc. and to add significant appointments directly to iPhone calendar. Insurance company treatment codes for the UK and USA are provided.

Personalise your own diagnosis ? I would rather the Doctor personailised it.. I'm a sparks...

and of course high up on the list are the insurance company codes.....

Better order an MRI, Make that 2 just to be on the safe side

John Hardy

21/03/2013 at 10:23

Dave,

Just the point. The patient takes the App in to write down just what the consultant said before it is forgotten. Works wonders when you get home and your better half or Mum asks what did the doctor say? The codes are NHS OPCS codes.

What is a sparks? Are you an electrician?

Dave The Ex- Spartan pirate

pirate

21/03/2013 at 12:42

So you are writing on the app rather than listening to the consultant ? So you are only going to hear half of what he or she says anyway.....

John Hardy

21/03/2013 at 12:51

Some patient can walk and chew gum at the same time. Personally I would be offended. Just as I am when a patient try's to record me and not ask permission.
I dictate my letters in front of the patient and offer them a copy as a gold standard. I would there expect them to fill the app in after the consult while the info is fresh in their minds.

What is a sparks?