iMHere
novel mobile health system
iMHere is a novel mobile health system that supports people with disabilities (clients) to live independently. Three components work together to support self-management routines and symptom tracking:
A mobile app for clients
A mobile app for caregivers
A web-based portal for healthcare professionals.
Clients download the iMHere mobile app, which prompts them to carry out activities to manage their chronic conditions. Clients can perform tasks such as setting reminders to take medications and carry out self-care routines, recording their symptoms, and tracking nutritional intake and physical activity. They can also read educational materials about their conditions and record information in a personal health record.
A supplementary mobile app is available for the client’s caregivers to help them support the client’s self-management needs. This mobile app allows them to track tasks for which the client needs assistance and provide feedback or encouragement. Additionally, this app contains educational materials to support the caregivers’ own health and to help them better understand the client’s conditions.
Clinicians and case managers can also use the web-based portal to review client progress and triage issues. The system’s secure messaging system allows users to communicate securely about the issues being managed.
iMHere is now also available in the UPMC Adult Spina Bifida Clinic due to a collaboration with Xealth. iMHere can be prescribed to the client via the electronic health record, and clinicians can view data from iMHere on a dashboard within the medical record.
RESULTS FROM IMHERE 2.0
RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS (RCTS)
Dr. Dicianno and Dr. Parmanto conducted two pilot RCTs in users with spina bifida and
spinal cord injuries. These studies yielded the following results in clients who consistently
engaged with iMHere during the 1-year period:
USES OF
iMHere 2.0
Our research demonstrates that iMHere can support many different models of care delivery involving a range of stakeholders. It is currently supporting the following community programs:
We partnered with Community Living and Support Services (CLASS) to develop iMHere support for their Community Partners and Adult Day Care programs, which support the independent living of people with disabilities
We also partnered with Service Coordination Unlimited (SCU) to use iMHere to support the coordination of attendant care services for people with disabilities living in their homes.
Our work has been user-centered and engaged real clients in the product design and development so that our technology reflects the needs of individuals with disabilities who want to independently manage their health.
SPINA BIFIDA
USE CASE
A 35-year-old female with Spina Bifida was prescribed the iMHere app as part of her routine care at the UPMC Adult Spina Bifida Clinic. She has ongoing dietary issues with a secondary diagnosis of mild to moderate gastroparesis after gallbladder surgery. The patient used the following iMHere app features:
She uses the nutrition module to track water intake and the number of servings of each food group she consumes each day. This information is used to discuss the fluctuations in her nutrition and diet with the registered dietician in the clinic.
The exercise module is used to track the type and duration of each of her exercise sessions, which she tries to complete at least 2 to 3 times per week at her local YMCA.
She also uses the medication module to remind her to take the daily dosages of her multiple medications in the morning and before bedtime.
She uses the personal health record module to maintain accurate documentation of her medical history, allergies, and notes of issues she wishes to discuss with her healthcare provider.
The mood module is used to track and monitor her emotional and mental well-being, given a history of depression and anxiety which are well-managed with medication and bi-weekly cognitive behavioral therapy sessions with a licensed mental health professional.
She has been using the bladder management module for tracking the number of times per day that she self-catheterizes to proactively prevent recurring urinary tract infections.
She has been using the bowel management module to monitor the frequency of her bowel movements to be able to report that information to her neuro-gastroenterologist and physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at the Adult Spina Bifida Clinic, who are working together to treat her recurrent digestive disorder symptomatic episodes.
She was also prescribed the education module, which provides information about Spina Bifida and related issues like bowel and bladder management, exercise, managing stress and anxiety, skin integrity, and nutrition.
Her physicians and dietician can monitor her progress through the Xealth dashboard in EpicCare. They can see that she occasionally misses some of her medications, that on average she walks for exercise on average 2 times per week for 20 minutes, and that she is eating too few servings of many food groups and not drinking enough water. This information is discussed with her during her visit, and she has adjusted her self-management routine to improve her diet, physical activity, and medication adherence.
Testimonials
Contact Us
Phone
Address
6026 Forbes Tower, University of Pittsburgh,