Guest Post: How Jack Imaging helps me manage my condition

Source

Today we share a guest post from one of our users, Sarah*. Sarah shares her experience with idiopathic condylar resorption and how Jack Imaging has helped her manage her condition. Read Sarah’s story below:

In the summer of 2012, an ordinary consultation to get my wisdom teeth removed led to a startling discovery.

“Do you know that you have idiopathic condylar resorption? Only your back molars touch,” stated the dental surgeon.

I replied, “No... I just thought food was extra tough to chew.”

And with this, my journey with idiopathic condylar resorption began. Idiopathic condylar resorption (ICR) is defined by the Baylor University Medical Center as, “ a specific condition that affects the jaw joints (temporomandibular joints or TMJs) and most commonly occurs in teenage girls.” Because this doctor was specialized in wisdom teeth removal, I sought a second opinion and even a third. Both maxillofacial surgeons I saw informed me that surgery would be required lest with old age, I would deal with joint issues.

Before the preliminary steps to such a surgery can even be taken, it must be determined that the disease has been in remission for at least twelve months. Since there is no definitive way to determine whether or not resorption has ended, the area is observed biannually to see if there is any measurable change. As a result, every six months since my diagnosis, I have had X-rays taken of my jaw and the occlusal gap (overbite) is measured.

Source

Because of the need for constant monitoring of the disease, I have amassed numerous X-rays and other medical records in order to build a comprehensive portfolio of my condition. Previously, I would have to retrieve all these X-rays prior to each doctor’s visit, which became an increasingly tedious process as I amassed more medical images. With Jack Imaging, I am able to organize all of these medical images and monitor the progress of my condition chronologically. It has been two years since my diagnosis and I will soon begin the preparatory steps for my surgery. When the time comes to coordinate with an orthodontist for my pre-surgery preparation, I will be able to easily share my X-rays with him/her via Jack Imaging rather than bringing in my assorted medical image discs. After the surgery, I must continue to monitor the jaw joints via X-ray for about a year to ensure that the surgery was a success.

Rather than sending in a request to retrieve my medical images for viewing, I am now able to monitor my condition on my laptop using this online platform. I feel empowered knowing that I can keep track of my health from my own home. 

*name has been changed for privacy

When to seek a second opinion (part I)

When should you seek a second opinion?

Where would you go to get a second opinion? 

First and foremost, kudos to you if you considering seeking a second opinion for your treatment. A recent survey showed that 70 percent of Americans don’t feel compelled to get a second opinion. Considering the many uncertainties in medicine and potentially conflicting guidance between multiple physicians, the majority of Americans may not be receiving the right treatment. In fact, a study conducted by the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center revealed that more than half of breast cancer patients received a change in recommended treatment plan following a second opinion.

Many patients are hesitant to seek a second opinion for a variety of reasons. The most common concern expressed by patients is that their primary physician will be offended if they bring this up, and thereby be given inferior care. This couldn't be further from the truth, as second opinions "are a way of life” to most physicians according to University of Minnesota oncologist Daniel Weisdorf, M.D.

So when should you consider a second opinion? 

1. If for whatever reason you are not comfortable with the first opinion you received
2. If you have questions about the diagnosis or treatment recommended that were not answered by your physician
3. If you have concerns regarding the risk, cost, and/or long duration/invasive nature of the recommended procedure

If you find yourself in a situation similar to any of the three listed above, it’s time to take control of your health and seek a second opinion! Ask your primary care physician for referrals, use online resources like Zocdoc to find a physician, or even receive a second opinion from the comfort of your own home with Cleveland Clinic's 'MyConsult'.

Whichever method you choose, it’s crucial to make sure that you are prepared for your upcoming consult. A complete record of your medical history will be required wherever you go, including medical images when applicable. Ongoing research reveals that about 20% of patients are referred to another physician without any formal communication from their first doctor. Use Jack Imaging's free online case management tool to store, view and share your medical images with your health care 

To learn more about how to take control of your health and your options, check out our tutorial here. 

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Nephosity teams up with the CSC Benjamin Center in Tech Tools for Care Management

Earlier this month, Nephosity was kindly invited to teach a course on tech tools for care management - introducing cancer patients at the CSC Benjamin Center in Los Angeles to helpful (and free!) web or mobile based tools to help manage care.

The Benjamin Center is an extremely warm and welcoming home to all individuals touched by cancer - offering free-of-charge services including educational classes, support groups, fun activities and more. Whether you are a patient, a caretaker or just supporting a loved one going through cancer, you will be welcomed with open arms at the CSC. It is truly a wonderful place.

CSC Benjamin Center located in West LA, CA

Our course on patient tech tools received an overwhelmingly positive response from the group, and it was an amazing experience to hear patient and caretaker stories regarding their frustrations with currently available "technologies". We were so grateful by the positive response from the group that we were inspired to share our materials with others who might find our content useful. 

All technology tools we've curated are free (or low-priced) web and mobile applications aimed at helping you - or your caretaker, or loved one - better manage your health as you battle illness.

The list includes tools to help you:
- locate lower cost prescription drugs at nearby pharmacies
- upload and share your medical images 
- manage your health records
- track your health bills
- and more

Find the full list, here, and let us know your experience with any of these in the comments below, as well as any additional apps we may be missing! We look forward to hearing your responses.

Finally, if you are in the Los Angeles area, look forward to future workshop panels on how to use health technology to better manage your and your loved ones' health. 

Thank you!

Patient Tools for Care Management

Empower Yourself,

Engage With Your Health

The following tools were curated and shared with patients at the Benjamin Center. Read more about our session on tech tools for patient care, here!

Patient Care Management Technologies

Adhere Tech's smart pill bottles attempt to increase medication adherence by wirelessly sending medication amount and reminding patients to take their prescribed dosage via phone call or text

Adhere Tech – smart pill bottle

Adhere Tech bottles measure the exact amount of pills or liquid in the bottle in real-time, and wirelessly sends this HIPAA-compliant data into the cloud, and remind patients to take their medication via automated phone call or text message.  Adhere Tech’s smart pill bottle will be available in 2014. 

Link: http://www.adheretech.com/

Mango Health – prescription drugs and supplements management

Mango Health is an app that allows patients to manage their medications and supplements in an incentivized, gamified environment.  Patients can schedule set alerts as reminders for pill consumption and learn about dangerous drug interactions. 

Link:  http://www.mangohealth.com/

Jack Imaging - store, view and share your medical images 

Jack Imaging (beta) enables patients to store, view and share medical images in any WiFi-enabled setting. Upload images directly from your imaging CDs without any software installation required and share with providers, friends or family with the click of a button. 

Link:  http://jackimaging.com/ 

Simplee – medical bills management

Simplee is an alternative to Cake Health.  Just like with Mint and your financial accounts, you give Simplee access to your medical insurance accounts. It then brings in all of your medical, dental, and pharmacy bills and presents them in an easy-to-understand dashboard. Simplee tells your total medical costs, how much you’ve paid out-of-pocket, your deductible, and how many doctor’s visits you and your family have had.

Link: https://simplee.com/

Healthy Out – nutritional guidance for dining out

Healthy Out finds you dishes at local restaurants that match your diet and nutrition preferences.

Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/restaurant-nutrition-healthy/id566409966

Community Building Technologies

Cure Together connects patients with treatment ratings across ~637 health conditions

Cure Together – communities around conditions

Imagine patients around the world coming together to anonymously share qualitative information on over 600 medical conditions and their treatments. Patients rate symptoms and compare treatment outcomes. 

Link: http://curetogether.com

Smart Patients – online community for cancer patients

Smart Patients is an online community where cancer patients and caregivers learn from each other about treatments, clinical trials, the latest science, and how it all fits into the context of their experience.




Link:  https://www.smartpatients.com/

CrowdMed – wisdom of crowds for solving medical problems

CrowdMed is revolutionizing healthcare by harnessing 'the wisdom of crowds' to help solve even the world's most difficult medical cases quickly and accurately online.  Crowd Med believes in the power of groups to gather information, make smart decisions, and ultimately help save lives.

Link: https://www.crowdmed.com/

Healthy Labs

Healthy Labs builds networks to connect patients so they can learn from one another. 

Link:  http://www.healthylabs.com

Quantified Self

Fitbit dashboard allows you to track daily activity, calories burned, sleep and weight

Fitbit

Track daily activity, calories burned, sleep and weight. Upload wirelessly and see progress on mobile and online dashboard.   

Link: http://www.fitbit.com/

Senti

A record of how you are doing based on your answers to simple questions every day.   

Link: https://www.senti.us/

MoodPanda

MoodPanda is an interactive mood diary/journal that measures and keeps track of your happiness, creating neat pie charts and graphs to show you how you've been feeling over time.

Link:  http://moodpanda.com/

Cancer Oriented Technologies

Avva Advocate is the first and only free breast health iPhone app

Avva – free, comprehensive breast health iPhone app

For all women regardless of whether they have been diagnosed with breast cancer or not, this app helps patients keep track of their mammogram appointments.  If newly diagnosed, this app can also help breast cancer patients prepare for important upcoming visits with physicians. The app helps patients create a list of questions for your doctor by providing patients with highly personalized suggestions. Then, during your visit, save typed notes to your questions or record audio of your conversation. You'll get the most out of every visit and make sure you never forget any of the important information from your doctors.

Link: http://www.avvahealth.com/

Cancer.net Mobile – developed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

Accurate oncologist-approved cancer information from Cancer.Net, with tools to help plan and manage your cancer treatment and care. 

Cancer.Net Mobile includes up-to-date guides on 120 types of cancer, with information about treating cancer, managing side effects, managing the cost of care, and living with cancer. Use interactive tools to keep track of questions to ask doctors and record voice answers. Save information about prescribed medications, including photos of labels and bottles (on camera-enabled devices). Track the time and severity of symptoms and side effects.

All information on Cancer.Net was developed and approved by cancer doctors who are members of ASCO.

Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cancer.net-mobile/id433501257?mt=8

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Protect Your Child From Unnecessary Radiation Overexposure

Source: American Childhood Cancer Organization

In the U.S. each year, more than 13,000 children under age 19 are diagnosed with cancer and ~1 in 300 boys and ~1 in 333 girls will develop cancer before their 20th birthdays. 

Source: American Childhood Cancer Organization

In an effort to raise awareness for National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Nephosity would like to inform you about protecting your child from radiation overexposure by taking control of your child's medical records and, specifically, your child's medical images.

An estimated 10% to 20% of medical imaging performed today occurs as a result of duplicate imaging. 

"... Typically, patients receive copies of a medical image on a CD, which can easily be lost, damaged or even contain someone else's information. And because competing vendors sell incompatible equipment, one doctor sometimes can't view another's image on a CD without a long conversion process... As a result, scans and other images are often repeated, piling up healthcare costs and exposing patients to additional and potentially harmful doses of radiation ..."

- Wall Street Journal, April 2013

With 1 in 5 imaging procedures occurring as a result of lost or otherwise malfunctioning CDs, your child may be unnecessarily exposed to higher levels of radiation should they ever require medical imaging.

In addition, according to the National Cancer Institute, unique considerations must be taken regarding radiation exposure in children, given: 

- children are considerably more sensitive to radiation than adults
- children have a longer life expectancy than adults, resulting in a larger window of opportunity for expressing radiation damage
- children may receive a higher radiation dose than necessary if CT settings are not adjusted for their smaller body size 

"As a result, the risk for developing a radiation-related cancer can be several times higher for a young child compared with an adult exposed to an identical CT scan..."
- National Cancer Institute

While improvements in CT equipment over the last decade have allowed for better images at lower doses, multiple scans to an individual patient present a particular concern. In addition, the use of more than one scan during a single examination further increases radiation dose. In the vast majority of cases, a single scan should be sufficient during pediatric CT. 

To avoid risk of radiation overexposure, remove CDs from the equation and gain control over your child's images by uploading them to our secure, HIPAA-compliant cloud-based server. Uploading is completely free, and once you have uploaded your images, you will have the ability to view or share these images via your web browser, iPad or other mobile device:

Image Flow

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Protect yours and all children from unnecessary radiation exposure by gaining control of your medical images today. Request a free invitation, here, and begin uploading on JackImaging.com today.



For more information, visit the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging and the Society for Pediatric Radiology.

Sources: American Childhood Cancer Organization, National Cancer Institute

12 Ways the iPad Is Changing Healthcare: Making Med School Easier, Helping Diagnose Alzheimer's, and Improving Patient Engagement

http://www.cio.com/slideshow/detail/78144#slide3

At the end of last year, CIO published a report on 12 ways the iPad is changing healthcare. In addition to replacing the clipboard, making home health initiatives easier and making medical software more accessible, CIO credited the iPad with enabling greater patient engagement - something that Nephosity is proud to have been working on from the start.

MobileCT

MobileCT, Nephosity's FDA-cleared medical image viewer for the iPad, engages patients in a few ways:
- medical images stored in Nephosity's secured cloud can be pulled up on the iPad and viewed side-by-side by patient and provider, allowing for real-time discussion of the patient's condition
- built-in annotation and cursor tools are used to point out specifics of a patient's images for deeper understanding of the patient's condition
- Nephosity's secured, cloud-based server allows patients to access their own images anywhere, anytime, allowing patients to share their images with family/friends or to request a second-opinion separate from their original provider

The iPad is changing healthcare, and Nephosity is honored to play a part.

Find out how Nephosity can help you handle your medical images today: http://nephosity.com