Skip to main content

Military Health System

Innovative RX pad creates path for prescribing mobile health technology

Image of Innovative RX pad creates path for prescribing mobile health technology. Innovative RX pad creates path for prescribing mobile health technology

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Public Health

Technology expands the patient provider connection and the ability to continue treatment during difficult times when in person access is limited. Defense Health Agency Connected Health’s Education and Training team works to create tools that will bring mobile health technology to patient care. 

During COVID-19, with states under stay-at-home orders and regular office visits having turned virtual, a provider may be thinking, “How do I begin integrating technology with traditional care?” Many providers are uncertain of how to bridge the technology health gap with their patients. Now, health professionals can use a customized RX pad to formally prescribe mobile health apps to enhance their patient’s treatment plan. Health providers can download the DHA health technology prescription pad from the DHA Connected Health Education and Training website at http://health.mil/mHealthTraining.

DHA Connected Health Education and Training saw a need to help military providers find a trusted way to use mobile health technologies with their patients. The prescription pad enables providers to quickly locate DHA and Department of Veteran Affairs approved mobile health apps. 

“It can be difficult for busy care teams to identify safe and evidence-based health technology to support health issues common in the military community,” said Julie Kinn, DHA Connected Health Education and Training lead. “We wanted to make an easy-to-use resource that can help providers find good tools and make it easy to share these resources with their patients.” 

As healthcare providers begin integrating technology, they may have questions about how to prescribe mobile apps in treatment. 

“My recommendation is to be specific about the timing and how often the patient will use the technology,” Kinn said. “These are guidelines that will benefit both patient and provider as clinical care progresses.”

The prescription pad includes a choice of 24 mobile apps covering topics from mindfulness to post-traumatic stress disorder and mood tracking. Prescribing mobile apps allows a patient to work with a provider on an ongoing basis without being in the same location. This convenience helps to keep the service member on track and involved with a provider even while deployed. The back of the prescription pad provides patients with several additional support and informational resources.

When patients engage with prescribed mobile apps during treatment, they take an active role in their own care. Some studies show patient engagement leads to better health results overall.  

T2 Mood Tracker, for example, allows a patient to track emotions over time and enables the provider to see developing patterns through a report generator. Another highly-rated mobile app is the Virtual Hope Box, which helps patients with positive coping and emotion regulating skills. Patients can personalize the app with their family photos, media, personal messages, inspirational quotes, and music, allowing them to complete meaningful homework assignments between provider visits. Connecting service members to a hopeful experience is the goal.

Technology and healthcare are constantly evolving fields, Kinn said, and DHA Connected Health’s Education and Training program continues to look for ways to support the military health provider with new tools and resources.

You also may be interested in...

Opinion: Why a Healthy Heart Matters at Any Age

Article Around MHS
2/21/2023
National Heart Health Month composite

We often think of heart health as an issue for older people, but heart disease actually affects every age group. Here's some expert advice for developing healthier habits at the earliest age to improve your and your loved ones' odds of better heart health later in life.

Recommended Content:

Public Health | Physical Fitness | Nutritional Fitness | Heart Health

Genome Sequencing Assists Research at Naval Health Research Center

Article
1/24/2023
Lab technicians doing genome research

Learn how unique samples from naval vessels, US-Mexico border populations, and DOD beneficiaries aided in the Naval Health Research Center’s sequencing efforts.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus

Toxicologists Hold Vital Role in Protecting DOD Workforce

Article Around MHS
1/20/2023
Toxicologist working in laboratory

Among the DOD's priorities, protecting warfighters from enemy combatants and weapons is critical. But there are other scenarios, when undetected, that pose threat to the health of our military. Find out why that makes the job of a DOD toxicologists so important.

Recommended Content:

Public Health

U.S. Military HIV Research Lends Lessons Learned to COVID-19

Article
1/19/2023
Gloved hands working in laboratory

The U.S. military has engaged in HIV research for three decades, contributing critical lessons learned, knowledge, and expertise during the COVID-19 research and vaccine development effort.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | DOD HIV/AIDS Prevention Program | Research & Innovation | Coronavirus

Public Health Nutritionist Shares Strategies, Resources for Meeting New Year Weight Loss Goals

Article Around MHS
1/12/2023
healthy food infographic

Don't give up on your 2023 resolution to lose weight! We've gathered some unique tips, tools, and strategies to help you stay the course and meet your goals.

Recommended Content:

Public Health | Nutritional Fitness

Naval Medical Research Center Uses Genome Sequencing for Variants

Article
1/12/2023
Military personnel pose for a group photo

NMRC’s efforts provided important support for sequencing and viral isolation to the Department of Defense and Military Health System.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus

USAMRIID Focuses on Genome Sequencing to Detect Variants

Article
1/5/2023
Military medical personnel in laboratory

A connected family of laboratories across the MHS allows a more rapid response to the outbreak.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus

MSMR Vol. 30 No. 1 - January 2023

Report
1/1/2023

A monthly publication of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division. This issue of the peer-reviewed journal contains the following articles: Incidence and management of chronic insomnia, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2012 to 2021; Changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity and in the incidence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic, active component service members, U.S. Armed Forces, 2018 to 2021; Trends in the incidence of eating disorders among active component service members, 2017 to 2021.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health | Medical Surveillance Monthly Report

Incidence and Management of Chronic Insomnia, Active Component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2012 to 2021

Article
1/1/2023
Incidence and Management of Chronic Insomnia, Active Component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2012 to 2021

Incidence and Management of Chronic Insomnia, Active Component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2012 to 2021.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health | Medical Surveillance Monthly Report

Increased Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity and Incidence of Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Active Component Service Members, U.S. Armed Forces, 2018 to 2021

Article
1/1/2023
Trends in the incidence of eating disorders among active component service members, 2017 to 2021.

Increased Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity and Incidence of Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Active Component Service Members, U.S. Armed Forces, 2018 to 2021.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health | Medical Surveillance Monthly Report

Trends in the Incidence of Eating Disorders Among Active Component Service Members, 2017 to 2021

Article
1/1/2023
Changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity and in the incidence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic, active component service members, U.S. Armed Forces, 2018 to 2021.

Trends in the Incidence of Eating Disorders Among Active Component Service Members, 2017 to 2021.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Public Health | Medical Surveillance Monthly Report

Whole Genome Sequencing at Tripler Army Medical Center

Article
12/29/2022
Dr. Keith Fong reviews data with other lab technicians

The third installment in a 6-part series highlighting the efforts of the Military Health System laboratories and the technicians who worked to identify COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Research & Innovation | Coronavirus

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Implements SARS-CoV-2 Genome Sequencing

Article
12/23/2022
Military medical personnel in laboratory

This is the second article in a 6-part series that highlights the work of technicians and scientists in Military Health System laboratories who worked to identify COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Recommended Content:

Global Health Engagement | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Research & Innovation

Protect Yourself With Respiratory Illnesses on the Rise

Article Around MHS
12/19/2022
Military medical personnel administering vaccine

"Tis the season, and respiratory illnesses are on the rise. Learn critical health guidance about the viral triple threat of COVID-19, influenza, and the common cold, and the commonsense steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Children's Health | Medical and Dental Preventive Care Fitness | Immunization Tool Kit | Influenza, Northern Hemisphere | Immunization Healthcare Division

Military Labs Use Whole Genome Sequencing of COVID-19 Variants

Article
12/16/2022
Lab technician at work

The first in a 6-part series highlighting the work of technicians and scientists working in support of the MHS who identified COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus
<< < 1 2 3 4 5  ... > >> 
Showing results 1 - 15 Page 1 of 49
Refine your search
Last Updated: July 15, 2020
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery