Axial Exchange Blog http://axialexchange.com/blog/ en davidmillsaps@gmail.com Copyright 2013 2013-06-19T12:04:+00:00 Americans want health via smart phone http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/americans-want-mhealth http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/americans-want-mhealth At Axial, we have a good perspective on the mobile health revolution. Everyday people use our smartphone and tablet apps to manage their health, including hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, CHF, and heart disease. It is encouraging, but not suprising, to see data published on broader mobile health adoption. Harris Interactive / Health Day released the results of a poll that underscores the growing demand for mobile health. The poll results are based on an online survey of 2,050 Americans aged 18 and older, conducted between May 22-24, 2013. Some highlights:

]]> 2013-06-19T12:04+00:00 What health systems can learn from Weight Watchers http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/what-health-systems-can-learn-from-weight-watchers http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/what-health-systems-can-learn-from-weight-watchers Most people can stand to lose some weight. And physicians will often point out the health benefits of losing weight to patients. This advice can be helpful, but when you leave the exam room you are on your own. The reality is that sustained behavior change is hard. Historically, health systems have invested relatively little in keeping patients well. After all, when patients got sick and ended up in the hospital, revenues increased. With health reform, healthcare organizations are increasingly waking up to the notion that their future success hinges on supporting behavior change so that patients stay well -- and out of the hospital and ER.

]]> 2013-06-19T12:04+00:00 Design, psychology, and behavior change http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/design-psychology-and-behavior-change http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/design-psychology-and-behavior-change In order to change behavior you need to put triggers in the path of motivated people. According to BJ Fogg, the head of Stanford's Persuasive Technology Lab, you just need to remind people of their goals and make it easy for them to act. But what about those that lack motivation? Specifically, what if there is little physical or financial cost to not chaning? In The Innovator's Prescription, Clayton Christensen provides a framework for illustrating this dynamic. Take back pain. You skip taking your meds and your back hurts. You take your meds and the pain goes away. For many chronic diseases, the consequences of nonadherence are deferred.

]]> 2013-06-19T12:04+00:00 4 jaw-dropping stats about obesity http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/four-jaw-dropping-stats-about-obesity http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/four-jaw-dropping-stats-about-obesity According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a BMI of 30 or higher classifies someone as obese. An obese man of average height weighs 220 pounds or more. An obese woman of average height weighs 180 pounds or more. About one-third of US adults are obese. Most people have heard that statistic already; but these four lesser-known statistics are astonishing.

]]> 2013-06-19T12:04+00:00 Diabetes by the numbers http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/diabetes-by-the-numbers http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/diabetes-by-the-numbers Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood glucose. Your body's cells need glucose for energy. It's also your brain's main source of fuel. Out-of-control glucose can lead to hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or diabetic ketoacidosis. Longer term, excess glucose can damage the vessels that supply blood to important organs. As a result, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and nerve problems can impact people with diabetes.

]]> 2013-06-19T12:04+00:00 Is obesity the next tobacco? http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/is-obesity-the-next-tobacco http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/is-obesity-the-next-tobacco As I was reading Mary Meeker's 2013 Internet Trends report, I came across this healthcare statistic:

]]> 2013-06-19T12:04+00:00 Why it’s so hard to make good decisions http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/why-its-so-hard-to-make-good-decisions http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/why-its-so-hard-to-make-good-decisions Axial helps people help themselves. We consider this an important and noble thing to do. Specifically, we provide patients with the information and tools they need to manage their health and stay well between healthcare encounters. Many people thrive once they have access to the types of services that Axial provides. Others struggle to follow the most basic of care plans. The truth is that we all struggle to make decisions that are consistently in our best interest. We don't always behave rationally, despite what some microeconomic theories suggest.

]]> 2013-06-19T12:04+00:00 Best Practices to Keep your Smartphone Health Data Secure http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/best-practices-to-keep-your-smartphone-health-data-safe http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/best-practices-to-keep-your-smartphone-health-data-safe More and more patients are using smartphone-based tools to manage their health.  The smartphone is an excellent tool for tracking and managing personal health and sharing that information with their doctor.  With an estimated 30 percent of 7.4 billion mobile phone subscribers in 2015 likely to use a phone-based wellness application (BCG/Telenor Mobile Health Report), billions of people are going to be storing personal health information on their phone.  It is essential that individuals follow basic mobile security best practices in order for this technology to live up to its full potential in a safe and secure manner.

]]> 2013-06-19T12:04+00:00 I guess we hit a nerve http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/axial-in-the-news http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/axial-in-the-news Last month, Axial debuted its Patient Engagement Index (PEI) with a ranking of Florida hospitals. Last week, we followed up with the Texas PEI. The reception has been incredible. People are evidently very much ready to join the conversation about transforming healthcare through patient engagement. Through the PEI, we've seen some incredible work happening at a select number of health systems. The investments that these health systems are making in patient engagement leads us to be optimistic about the future of healthcare. Here is some of the coverage from our first two installments of the Patient Engagement Index:

]]> 2013-06-19T12:04+00:00 Axial announces the Texas Patient Engagement Index http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/axial-announces-the-texas-patient-engagement-index http://axialexchange.com/blog/article/axial-announces-the-texas-patient-engagement-index Houston Northwest Medical Center, Park Plaza Hospital and Providence Memorial Hospital Top Texas Patient Engagement Index Ranking


Axial Exchange’s Patient Engagement Index Ranks Hospitals Based on Personal Health Management, Patient Satisfaction and Social Media Engagement Data


Raleigh, NC ­ May 15, 2013 — Axial Exchange, Inc., a pioneer in using mobile apps to deepen the patient’s role in improving outcomes, today announced the results of its Patient Engagement Index (PEI), a groundbreaking index that ranks U.S. hospitals based on an analysis of publically available data in three categories: personal health management, patient satisfaction and social media engagement.  This is the second regional PEI the company has issued; the first ranked top hospitals in Florida. Both states were selected because their demographics make them bellwethers for the rest of the country.

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