Curatio: A Personalized Solution for Health in the Digital Age

Today in Calgary, inventors, investors, and thought leaders are coming together to discover and share the latest in innovation, research, capital access, deal-making, and experiential learning. Curatio CEO Lynda Brown-Ganzert will be presenting as a speaker on the topic of “Personalization of Health in the Digital Age”. Curatio, the world’s first social health prescription, was founded to ensure that no patient is alone on their health journey. Curatio addresses the $47 trillion need for digital, scalable disease management solutions.

As the market for health solutions continues to trend increasingly towards consumerism, personalized solutions are gaining momentum and are becoming the focus for many companies. This movement towards personalization is especially important when it comes to digital health, when patients have even greater access to information at their fingertips. In a 2019 study of Online Health Information Seeking and eHealth Literacy, it was found that a tremendous 87% of respondents had used the internet to find health information. And of these respondents, few (27%) asked their doctor about the health information they found online. Greater access to information also means that patients are more informed and are thus seeking more personal control over their health decisions. Ultimately, consumers want personalized services that help them find the right solution for their unique needs.

Personalization for Privacy

In this age of social media and enhanced connectivity throughout the world, patients can also find peers around the world who share their experiences. However, patients are understandably concerned about the personal health data that traditional social media sites have access to, as some have been known to breach user privacy and security.

A 2014 survey from the Pew Research Center found that 91% of respondents “agree” or “strongly agree” that people have lost control over how personal information is collected and used. And this number hasn’t improved - a follow up survey from the Center in 2018 found that just 9% of social media users were “very confident” that social media companies would protect their data. As the numbers demonstrate, privacy is undoubtedly a priority for consumers and should be included by digital companies when it comes to personalization.

The need for privacy is especially important in healthcare, when patients are searching for information pertaining to their diagnoses and sharing personal and sensitive materials with their peers online. As Curatio users, patients own their own data, and they are free to choose how much information they share on the platform. Personal data is not disclosed to any third parties, meaning that patients are provided with a safe environment to share and discuss their conditions with their peers, without being concerned about any breaches of privacy as in general, unspecialized social media sites.

Personalization for Social Support

In addition to the privacy and protection of their personal data, patients are also need social support from peers while experiencing a health challenge. Clinical evidence has shown that patients experiencing a health challenge can experience meaningfully improved outcomes by participating in private, personalized peer groups created around health conditions and goals. In a study of chronic illness patients who used Curatio, researchers found statistically significant improvements, with 80% of users showing an increased interest in self-management, 75% showing improved health behaviours, and 71% showing improved social integration.

Other sources have also demonstrated evidence for the benefit of peer-to-peer healthcare, and personalizing a patient’s experience to provide them with support from those who understand. A report from the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation found that those who participated in peer-to-peer healthcare lowered their blood sugar levels more than those who didn’t.

Most importantly, the goal of digital health solutions and healthcare organizations is to improve patient outcomes, and technology is one way of doing so. And as this technology advances in the direction of personalization and prioritizing patients, its greater adoption will help to bring a comprehensive and relevant consumer experience to improve outcomes and reduce costs. Solutions like Curatio that are highly personalized and scalable have been proven to increase patient adherence and retention.

See why Curatio is trusted by patients, families, and healthcare providers in over 85 countries. Book a quick demo with us today to see how we can help support your patients at scale.