Health power to the people

As a technology-driven mechanism aimed at improving patient/practitioner relationships and patient care, FolUp took on a gargantuan task when it launched in SA in early 2013.

As featured previously in Brainstorm, FolUp is a mobile- and Web-based communication platform that connects doctors and patients and functions as a patient monitoring system.

Says Simon Spurr, co-founder and head of operations for FolUp: "Uptake has been positive and enrolment from both patients and doctors has been steady. We're one of the fastest-growing medical tracking apps globally. In the US, we've implemented a number of large-scale enterprise projects and expect a massive uptake for that region in the coming months."

Locally, the company has engaged with large enterprises, including medical aids and wellness and disease management companies, with a view to rolling out its platform to patients and practitioners through these niche healthcare and support providers. FolUp is also offering its platform, at no cost, to medical foundations where the technology could assist immensely in improving care.

FolUp has first been introduced to healthcare and medical practitioners who act as introductory agents for patients to sign up to the system. Soon, open sign-up will be allowed, meaning patients can self-enrol without any intervention or briefing from their healthcare provider. This will also empower patients to find others who have similar conditions, and share information securely. A new range of features will also be made available for the iOS and Android mobile applications in October.

FolUp's application programming interface (API) can integrate all information received via wireless devices that patients use to capture key health information. These devices can include blood pressure cuffs, glucometers, fitness activity and heart rate monitors. The results are then automatically synchronised into the patient's profile.

FolUp runs monthly training sessions in Johannesburg to help practitioners stay on top of application updates, and remain oriented within the application.

Traditionally, healthcare practitioners capture patient data during consultation, but FolUp has turned this process on its head, putting the power into patients' hands. This is particularly important for people with chronic diseases that require consistent monitoring.

While behavioural change and transforming the patient data capture process cannot happen overnight, Spurr is confident the inherent benefits of FolUp will win over doctors and patients.

The local healthcare environment cannot be approached using a single-bullet theory. Acknowledging this, FolUp has decided to tackle the problem through support organisations that often provide auxiliary support services to patients receiving care through the system. Because it easily overcomes any geographic distance or shortage of care providers, FolUp is determined to make a dramatic change within the public health sector too.

First published in the October 2013 issue of ITWeb Brainstorm magazine.