Symptom checker applications are technology programs that use detailed algorithms to allow users to input symptoms and receive diagnostic information.
The potential for these applications to be utilized across the healthcare environment is widespread, as more and more people look to the web to self-diagnose their ailments to keep their costs low and healthcare accessibility high.
Here are eight things to know about this new, cutting edge technology that is quickly gaining acceptance worldwide:
1.They are used by millions
Symptom checkers are gaining popularity both in the United States and throughout the world. In the United States alone, symptom checkers were used over 100 million times last year by people of all ages; they are simple and easy to use for everyone from youths to adults of retirement age, with many available via smart phone applications.
2. They can be used throughout the healthcare market
Symptom checkers have multiple applications throughout the healthcare market. Just a few examples include:
- Wellness portals – where users can utilize the applications to decrease unnecessary ER and physician visits
- EHRs – where health care providers can utilize the applications during visits for clinical decision support
- Accountable Care Organizations – where they can increase the quality of healthcare for the patient population
- Self-insured employers – where symptom checkers can lower costs dramatically by decreasing the number of unnecessary ER and physician visits
- Patient education companies – where users can utilize the applications for medical knowledge
- Physician extender training programs – where nurse practitioners and physician assistants can utilize the applications to assist in clinical decision support
- Directly to consumers – via online web portals, and applications for smart phones, tablets, and computersThey provide more accurate medical information than simple Internet searches
3. They provide more accurate medical information than simple Internet searches
The top symptom checkers have been shown to have accuracy levels significantly higher than search engine results, providing patients with easily accessible alternatives to simply "Googling" their symptoms.
4. They provide a cost effective alternative to nurse call centers
The most accurate symptom checker applications have been found to provide similar quality to nurse call centers, but at a fraction of the cost.
5.They can be an important tool as the healthcare environment transitions from volume-based to value-based reimbursement
As the healthcare environment focuses more on efficiency, symptom checker applications can play a key role in keeping costs down while ensuring high quality medical care is provided to the patient population.
6. They can reduce unnecessary hospital, emergency department and doctor visits
The American Medical Association estimates that nearly 70% of physician visits are unnecessary, costing $14 billion annually. Symptom checker applications have been proven to decrease unnecessary physician visits and trips to the ED, with some estimates showing symptom checkers being able to cut healthcare costs by 10-15%.
7. Promotes patient/member satisfaction/loyalty
Studies have shown that usage of symptom checker applications have increased satisfaction and loyalty by providing patients and members easily accessible medical information at the touch of a button.
8. Harvard Medical School recently ran a study to find the most accurate symptom checker on the market
A recent peer-reviewed study by Harvard Medical School published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) found that DocResponse, a healthcare technology startup company, has the most accurate symptom checker application.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and looked at every English language symptom checker on the market from the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Poland, comparing all for accuracy with multiple clinical vignettes.
Compared with some of the biggest names in healthcare, the startup showed results that were found to be 150% more accurate than iTriage and WebMD, and 300% more accurate than Mayo Clinic's symptom checker application. A survey of more than 4,000 users also showed that 45% saved an unnecessary visit to the ER or doctor's office by using the symptom checker, a number that equates to an estimated 10-15% cost savings over a year for insurance companies and self-insured companies.
Whatever solution your organization uses or recommends for its patients, symptom checker applications will continue to play a prominent role throughout the care continuum as more people turn to the web for medical information that can be trusted. As the first generation of symptom trackers, these apps will continue to improve and more effectively automate healthcare processes along the lines of what has already taken place in other industries. The key to their success will be providing accurate, timely, and updated information that provides patients with easily acceptable alternatives to many of the unverified, inaccurate, and speculative resources they currently access through Google.
Richard Munassi, MD, MBA, is the Chief Operations Officer for DocResponse, which provides the most accurate symptom checkers and diagnostic tools in the market, according to a Harvard Medical School study published in the British Medical Journal in July.