#4 Computer Information

   Technology is a wonderful thing that affects most aspects of our lives.  We may know how to manipulate our computer to get to the internet, or use our phone to research a restaurant, but how does all of it work?  Let’s break it down a little.

ISP
   Every person who uses the internet uses an internet service provider, or ISP.  This is the company you pay to have the access to the internet. 

• Local Utah ISP
• Digis
• UTOPIA
• XMission
• Veracity
• Utah Broadband
• Google Fiber
• Rise Broadband

   There are several more to choose from, all it takes is researching what they offer and how much it is going to cost you.  Once you have access to the internet, it is important to have the right equipment.  A router and modem allow information to be conveyed between your computer and the internet connection so that information can be received, decoded or translated and delivered to you.  If you have a wireless setup, it can send these signals through the air, similar to how radio’s work.

SPEED
   Some things to consider are speed and data.  The speed refers to how fast things download and upload when you click on an item or type in an address, also known as bandwidth.   Knowing how fast a connection you need depends on how many users you have on one connection and what you will be doing.  If it is just you and your spouse and you just want to look at facebook, email and connect with information, you could be fine with a lower speed like 8 mbps(megabytes per second).  Megabytes per second refers to how much information is downloaded in a second.  If your family has several devices with many users and you want to stream movies or shows and other items, you may want a higher speed like 15-20 mbps.  Some ISP can offer 100 mbps.

RAM
   I’m not talking about the male sheep when I speak of RAM, but rather the memory on your computer.  When you turn on your computer, your operating system will start to run and the RAM on your computer begins to store information as you go along.  It keeps track of where you are going and what you are doing as you search on the internet.  It is lost once you turn off your computer, except for the applications you have installed.

Web Browsers and the Cloud
   Web browsers are a part of the world-wide web and their purpose is to find information, retrieve it and bring it to your screen.  Browsers differ on how quick they are at retrieving and giving you information, how much information they can access, as well as how secure they are.  They are a program on your computer that enables you to visit websites.  Some main web browsers you may choose to use include Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Chrome and so on.  Faster web browsers help you save time when online.
   
There is so much information available for us that it is difficult to have the space to store all of it.  This problem led to the creation of the cloud.  The cloud frees up the space on your computer and allows you to store your data on the internet.  Essentially it is floating in the air but accessible at your fingertips.  Your hard drive doesn’t have to be the catch all anymore.  You can access your cloud from any computer that has cloud technology.  Pictures, documents and other files can all be saved in the cloud.

#3 Virtual Support Groups

   Navigating the internet can be scary when you don’t know who to trust.  Too many people get scammed and deal with fraud in one way or another when navigating through the world-wide web.  People could pose as someone they aren’t to try to gain sympathy and support.  Appealing to people’s sympathies can lead them to feeling bad for the person and defraud them out of their hard-earned money.  Go fund me accounts can be set up by anyone and can ask people for money for anything.  These could be legitimate needs or false ones.  It is important to do some research when looking into virtual support groups online.  Make sure they are reputable.  Do a background check through the Better Business Bureau and do a search on reviews.  Look into the websites by looking at their “about us” and see who runs the website.  It is important to safeguard yourself when you are being vulnerable online.  There are reputable support groups online, depending on what you are looking for in a support group, you can find one that fits your support needs.  Some options might include:

•  www.caring.com/support-groups -This website offers support to caregivers of those with different chronic conditions or caring for family members.  You could access a support group for dealing with Alzheimer’s, caring for a spouse, caring for your parents, and so on.
• www.diabetes.org This has an online community where people can talk, share and connect with those suffering with this disease
•  www.mskcc.org/experience/patient-support/counseling/groups/virtual-programs This offers virtual programs and online education, support and resources to those affected with cancer and their support network
• https://www.inspire.com/groups/mental-health-america/ This site offers support to those dealing with mental illness.  Mental Illness covers so many different illnesses, this website gives you links to specific support groups for specific illnesses including grief and bereavement as well as suicide.

#2 Personal Health Records

   Patient portals are online websites set up by healthcare facilities.  There are several different types but all of them offer one or more of the following benefits:

• 24 hour access
• view personal medical records
• ask questions
• request a medical prescription
• protection security with username and password
• review discharge summaries/instructions
• view recent doctor visits
• view insurance or medical bills

   One such portal is with Intermountain Healthcare called "My Health".  You just sign up for it at the doctor's office and use it from day one.  It is a simple to use website which gives you a login and password and access to all things medical including doctor visits, labs, shots, X-rays and other imaging, prescriptions, allergies, and helps take the middle man out when communicating with the doctor through the message tab which will go straight to your doctor.  It is easy to use and everything is private and secure with up-to-date security walls.  You are also protected further by only being allowed to change your security settings by resetting your account through online services or doing it at the doctor's office.  You can't change settings by yourself online anymore.  Concerns for privacy would happen if you accidentally stayed logged in to your portal in a public place or shared your login information. You do have to be an Intermountain patient to have access.

#1 The Basics

   It is important to have knowledge and information for patients on how to select the proper health apps for their devices and websites that will guide them in the right direction for their condition or general information.  They need to meet certain criteria to be useful to the patient, be user friendly, and have credible information.  

Here are seven things you should look for to choose an app:

• Review scientific publishings (books, journals, etc.)
• Check out an app clearinghouse (a collection and classification of apps)
• Search app stores
• Review their descriptions & reviews from users and how they rate the app
• Ask questions about it in a professional social media setting
• Try out the app yourself
• ask for feedback from other patients

It can be hard for patients to find websites and apps when social media is flooded with them,  and if they can be backed up by science and evidence.  Technology is always changing and that affects the information given as well, but that limits how to judge if the app or website is valid.  Because of that, it can have serious consequences such as missing important information for diagnosis.  

Security and confidentiality should be key in using health websites and apps because our personal and health information will be on the internet.  So hackers have the ability to break in to, collect, and use our personal data. That is why it is so important to be thorough in choosing one.  These sites and apps should have security firewalls in place to protect patients and their information.  Regulations are in place to help protect patients and their rights and privacy which also makes it harder to share medical information on the internet.  But now a person can consent by signature to share their information with another and what type of information whether all or just parts of it.

Some apps for smartphones that are easy to navigate and search are:

• mHealth
• Johns Hopkins Antibiotic Guide (JHABx)
• 5-Minute Clinical Consult (5MCC)
• 5-Minute Infectious Diseases Consult (5MIDC
• Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy (SG)
• ePocrates ID
• Infectious Disease Notes (ID Notes)
• Pocket Medicine Infectious Diseases (PMID)
• IDdx

A few websites with up-to-date quality medical information that also have external links:

• www.cdc.gov
• www.hopkinsmedicine.org
• www.medlineplus.gov