Alberta Health Services (AHS) introduced a new smartphone application to help cancer patients on Wednesday.
The My Care Conversations app, which was developed in a partnership between AHS and the Alberta Cancer Foundation, is a way for patients to remember all the details they’ve discussed with their care team.
Mauro Chies, AHS Vice President of Cancer Control and Clinical Support Services said patients forget up to 80 per cent of the information discussed during visits.
“Large amounts of new information and words that are unfamiliar can be confusing. This app allows patients to record their clinic conversations and later share those with trusted family and friends, and other members of their care team, to help communicate information and reduce misunderstandings.”
Not only does the new app help patients, having a recording of the information decreases the number of follow-up calls and additional visits.
The app has more security than an everyday recording app and allows patients to take notes and offers questions that a patient may want to ask their team. It also has the ability to create various files and has links to information and resources.
Although patients have the right to record their clinical conversation AHS said they should inform the care team that they plan to record the conversation.
