Ville Magazine l Insider Access for City Lifestyle Jan/Feb 2016 / Premiere Issue | Page 39

HEALTH CHECK

TECHNICALLY HEALTHY
Written by: Dr. Scott Mindel

As the world is increasingly phasing into a
technology based system, how is this affecting
healthcare? We are in a time of convenience and
a fast pace world wanting answers quickly, looking
for a quick fix. People not only want to feel better
quickly, but have no time to take off work or wait
to see their provider for questions from lab results
to basic health needs. The surge of over-thecounter medication and the marketing of quick
relief has taken healthcare to a very short sighted
view that mask symptoms that would otherwise
be detected. A 2013 study in the Journal of Patient
Safety projected that medical errors now account
for 210,000 to 440,000 in U.S. deaths annually.
Making medical errors is the third leading cause of
death behind heart disease and cancer. Americans
account for 70% of the world’s prescribed
medication, yet we were ranked last among the
11 largest developed countries for health by The
Commonwealth Fund.
Luckily the medical treatment model is changing to a wellness paradigm where people are searching for different answers. There are so many revolutionary
ideas and companies that are trying to disrupt healthcare and change patient behavior to look beyond relief care to start looking at prevention. The beauty of
technology and the movement towards multiple platforms to access care has allowed consumers a more cost efficient way to receive care. With healthcare reform
in full steam and data becoming available, mobile health apps will not only see growing number of users, but studies suggest they will become people’s preferred
resource over physicians. According to a study by ITOnline, two-thirds of Americans have already shown a favor for digital health management over physical care
and PricewaterhouseCoopers’ recent study shows healthcare as top 3 biggest mobile trends for 2016.
ARIVALE
The Seattle based company, Arivale, believes healthcare should be about
optimizing your health and wellness, not treating it when you’re already sick.
Through their web-based and personalized care model, the system is not
about short-term fixes, but a long term approach to help optimize health and
minimize disease risk. They share with you your personalized data points from
specific testing and assign a dedicated coach to help you navigate the results,
understand what they mean, and put them to use. They don’t treat or diagnose,
they only give life style recommendations. You start with an initial consultation
with a nutritionist and have a call each month with your coach to review results
of your tests and discuss your action plan. You can email or text your coach
anytime with questions. Every four months, a physician will order tests of your
blood, saliva, and a gut Microbiome to look at microbes living in your gut, which
appears to have a direct impact on your overall health. Throughout the process
you can access your results through your private dashboard. Your test results
will be in your hands to share with your medical providers.
VIRTUAL DOCTORS
This web-based service that is becoming very popular for non-emergency care.
One company, Teladoc is a convenient, cheaper alternative for non-emergency
and after hours care when needed. Consultations are $49 and can supplement
your relationship with your primary care provider with an affordable option to
access care anytime you need.

WEARABLE DEVICES
In 2015, 39.5 million U.S. adults, 18 and over used wearable devices, including
smartwatches and fitness trackers — an increase of 57.7 percent over 2014,
acc