Any mother can likely tell you there are a lot of questions to ask when becoming a parent, about the pregnancy process and about parenthood. To help connect mothers with the answers they need, Providence St. Joseph Health launched a smartphone application that helps during and after pregnancy, as well as throughout pediatrics for children up to age 18. The apps are named Circle by Providence and Circle by Swedish, and they are now available on both Android and iOS devices.
Circle’s information is sourced from best-in-class content vendors, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, and complimented with information co-developed with Providence and Swedish clinicians. The app provides relevant content, trackers and to-do lists, while also offering an array of resources, including listings for classes and groups in every Providence and Swedish hospital, as well as local provider listings. Personalization is driven either through a connection to the patient’s electronic medical record or by the woman providing information about herself and her family. The resources it offers continue to grow as well, with new, relevant information continually being added, with the latest trends and information.
The app was developed by the Providence’s consumer innovation group in Seattle in consultation with clinical specialists from Providence and Swedish. Providence’s development team is in the process of expanding the functionality beyond pediatrics, with the end goal of making the app a resource for women across the scope of all women’s health related issues.
Washington’s hospitals and health systems are continuing to innovate in ways that make lasting differences, making access to information more convenient and offering new ways for patients to connect with their providers. (Tim Pfarr)
