5 apps that promote better health

One of the most beneficial ways for healthcare providers to lower costs and improve outcomes is to promote good health and preventative care among patients. This may mean providing educational resources for individuals looking to quit smoking or lose weight or it may involve opening up channels of communication so that patients can report changes in their daily health.

With the proliferation of smartphones and tablets, new digital tools are being developed that can aid in this pursuit of healthy living. Some apps may be useful for anyone trying a new diet or exercise program, while others are useful for monitoring chronic conditions. Here are some of the most interesting healthcare apps available.

1. Cody
Physical exercise is incredibly important for promoting good health outcomes, and new apps are available that make that experience more dynamic. According to Forbes, the smartphone app Cody makes working out a social experience. The ability to track and share workouts with friends and online participants may encourage your patients to stick with a new exercise plan.

Progress can be tracked over time, and patients may chose to share this information with their doctors as a way of monitoring progress. For individuals in physical therapy or trying to build back strength following an illness or surgery, this can be an important tool.

2. Seamless MD
When it comes to outpatient recovery, the app Seamless MD is one of the best available. The app's website reported that it gives patients the tools to report any discomfort or changes on a daily basis. Orthopedic documentation and other tools make patient monitoring a breeze for medical professionals, and patients benefit from new engagement resources that improve communication.

3. Diabetes Logbook
Heathline found that there are many different apps available for individuals living with diabetes that host a number of helpful tools like recording daily glucose levels and sharing information among family members or doctors. Diabetes Logbook is easy to use, especially for children or the elderly. Images and text are easy to read and cartoon avatars and other touches make the app interactive.

Diabetes Logbook stores an individual's health data but also provides information on meals or snacks that would be appropriate for diabetics. Heathline stated that the app is intuitive, fun and very helpful.

4. Fooducate
Any patient would benefit from educational resources related to diet and food, and according to digital trends, the app Fooducate is especially helpful at providing the right sort of information such that individuals can make more informed decisions when building a diet. The app breaks down individual foods far beyond calories, making it easy to understand the health benefits of any given meal.

There are also tools for tracking food intake and can grade an individual's personalized nutrition. In this way, patients can visualize long-term trends. If this information is shared with a primary care physician or other doctor, more targeted treatment plans can be developed.

5. Mindshift
While patients have many options when it comes to selecting apps that promote better living, Mindshift stands out because it provides tools and resources for anyone dealing with anxiety or stress, the Apple app store reported. 

Mindshift is designed to help individuals find strength and peace in the face of mental conflict. As opposed to coping or avoiding anxiety, the app has educational material for confronting issues or triggers for negative feelings and lists steps or practices that can be used to avoid these problems. This ranges from anxiety related to test taking or social events as well as feelings of panic or worry. In this way, individuals may be able to develop tactics for overcoming moments of difficulty.