During a wellness visit, parents are often the ones to discuss their child’s symptoms with the doctor. Children may have trouble expressing how they feel or may be shy about talking with adults.
For kids with chronic illnesses, having the right care plan allows them to manage their symptoms and feel better. To help kids talk to their doctors, a new phone app lets them track how they feel and send wellness reports before their check-ups.
The Genia app is for kids that suffer from chronic conditions, such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The app helps kids track their symptoms and express how they feel on a daily basis. It allows parents and doctors to monitor symptoms and evaluate how well treatments are working. Doctors use this information to create a better care plan for kids to manage their conditions long-term.
The goal of the app is to improve open communication between the child, their parents, and their health providers. It encourages the child to be more involved in the decision-making process and makes them feel more in control of the disease.
Staying Connected
Living with a chronic disease may cause the child to feel isolated from others. The Genia app allows them to connect with other kids with JIA so they can share their experience. The app features a social feed where they can keep track of activities and interact with others in their network. Family members, friends, and health providers can interact with the kids directly on the app as well.
For family members, the app allows them to keep notes of the child’s good and bad days. They can monitor symptoms and create an action plan if symptoms get worse. The app can also set up reminders for the kids to take their medication. Parents send a report to the child’s doctor before a wellness visit so the doctor can address their current health needs more efficiently.
Symptom tracking apps are gaining in popularity as care management tools. To learn more about the Genia app, read this article from mHealth Intelligence. Talk with your child’s health provider about creating a care plan that is right for them.