Apple introduced its Health Records feature back in 2018, with the intention of offering a consolidated view of individual health records.
Recent surgical complications highlighted how beneficial this feature could be if widely implemented—not just for patients, but also for healthcare providers striving to deliver top-notch care.
Despite having been piloted in the UK, it has not received widespread adoption, and my personal experience showcased the potential gap it could fill.
Without delving into distressing details, I recently underwent abdominal surgery, which regrettably led to two complications, including a significant infection. To summarize the healthcare journey:
- Procedure performed at one hospital
- Two emergency room visits at another facility
- Blood tests conducted at a separate urgent care center
- An outpatient follow-up at the first hospital
- A second outpatient appointment at the second hospital
- A consultation with the surgeon from the first hospital
- Subsequent follow-ups via a video-based family doctor service
Apple’s Health Records feature would have been the ideal solution
A major issue that surfaced during this process was the lag in record updates, with many healthcare providers lacking visibility into each other’s records. Notably, the urgent care center appeared to have no means of accessing my health records.
This left me to recount the entire chronology of events each time I interacted with a different clinician.
Fortunately, I had learned the value of maintaining detailed notes from previous experiences. Using the Notes app on my iPad and iPhone, I mapped out a comprehensive timeline, capturing dates, times, doctors involved, tests, diagnoses, and symptoms. This enabled me to effectively inform the medical staff of my complete history.
It was astonishing that I was the only person in possession of a complete record at any point; two clinicians remarked how my compiled notes significantly altered their understanding of my situation, prompting them to reach out for the actual records they required.
Had Apple Health Records been universally embraced, I would not only have my personal log but also immediate access to all documentation, allowing me to seamlessly share those links with every clinician, leading to a more efficient process.
Health technology also played a crucial role
Health technology was another critical factor. My Oura Ring tracked temperature changes, providing records of when the fever started and when it subsided. This data was vital for assessing the severity of the infection prior to receiving lab results.
Furthermore, my O2 levels were alarmingly low at one point during my hospital stay, but I could check previous readings on the app, which reassured both me and my doctor that this was merely a temporary issue and that my baseline levels are usually high.
(This also emphasizes my point that Apple urgently needs to address the blood oxygen monitoring feature on the Apple Watch.)
Conclusion
Apple’s Health Records feature was introduced as a means to empower patients to take charge of their health management.
“We developed Health Records on iPhone to allow individuals to conveniently view their health records anytime. We’re excited to extend this feature to our customers in the UK and Canada,” stated Kevin Lynch, Apple’s vice president of Technology. “Our aim is for people to have secure and private access to their health data, accomplished through partnerships with healthcare institutions to prioritize patient confidentiality.”
This is indeed a vital service. However, my experience illustrates that this feature could not only benefit patients but also ensure that healthcare providers have instant access to the information necessary for appropriate patient care. I sincerely hope it achieves universal adoption.
Image: DMN collage of images from Apple and Christian Harb on Unsplash
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