Teens are more than likely to open up with other teens than with adults, especially their parents and doctors, for anything that concern them such as drugs and alcohol, as well as sex.
However, the anxiety to discuss these sensitive issues as well as the lack of confidence of teens with adults may only prevent them from getting the help they need healthwise.
Two health specialists in Seattle break that barrier by one thing that teens find comfortable and easy to use: an app.
Dr. Laura Richardson and Dr. Cari McCarty of Seattle Children's Research Institute have developed a cool way to help teens open up about their health issues by designing an app.
The app is actually an assessment tool that asks teens some questions about their activities that pertain or affect their health.
As part of a four-year study from Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, which provided the health specialists $1.5 million as a grant, they have to determine ways to avoid teen behaviors that can put their lives at risk.
They hope that the app will be able to get them the data they need and achieve their goal once the study is over. To use the app, the teen patients are provided with an iPad, where the app is installed, before they meet with the doctors. The app then asks a series of questions about their smoking, unhealthy lifestyle, and sexual activities.
But that is not the only thing the app does. After answering the questions, the app then provides some recommendations based on the responses of the teens, empowering them to pursue healthier lifestyle and choices.
The specialists are also planning to develop a curriculum that will be interaction based to encourage not only increased visits of teens to their doctors but also openness.
This isn't the first time, though, that technologies are used to boost consultations and health empowerment. Northeastern University researchers have created virtual nurses that help remind newly discharged patients remember their follow-up appointments. They also act as exercise coaches.
