This sickcare system was classically created to enable people to receive expert, evidence-based advice and support to help diagnose and treat diseases ( 1). The structure and operations of healthcare in the United States (US) is grounded in prioritizing acute care over individual health promotion and disease prevention as well as public health ( 1). Increasing awareness of clinicians about the potential value of partnering with patients who are advancing health knowledge through self-study is critical.Ĭonclusions: N-of-1 self-study research, coupled with community support and digital health tools, appears to be one plausible pathway to shifting the paradigm from sickcare toward patient-partnered healthcare. Facilitators include motivation, albeit stemming from frustration, a safe community where patients derive support, and access to experts for guidance. Responses were organized under five key themes including: frustration with healthcare system community support self-study/N-of-1 research access to experts moving from sick to healthcare. Results: Participants included six females and three males ranging in age from 30 to 70+ years. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify themes and patterns.
One-hour semi-structured interviews were conducted to solicit motivations, expectations, and potential barriers and facilitators to self-study followed by a brief survey on digital tool use. Methods: A qualitative approach involved record review and semi-structured interviews. Objective: To qualify the experience and expectations of patients affiliated with Project Apollo. These experiences have led the Apollo cohort to supplement their health knowledge through self-study research. Project Apollo is composed of highly motivated patients with common experiences of undiagnosed conditions, a lack of clear treatment options, and shared frustrations with navigating the U.S. This is especially useful for patients with hard-to-diagnose or treat diseases, which led to a self-formed patient group called Project Apollo.
Personal health data access creates opportunities to study health indicators 24/7 and in real time. Individuals can now access personal health data through wearable sensors, affordable lab screenings, genetic and genomic sequencing, and real-time health tracking apps. 3The Design Lab, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United Statesīackground: Access to digital health technologies is contributing to a paradigm shift where sickcare may become authentic healthcare.2Center for Wireless and Population Health Systems, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.1Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.Camille Nebeker 1,2,3 *, Bethany Weisberg 1, Eric Hekler 1,2,3 and Michael Kurisu 1,2,3