My Doc Notes: A new app to help patients remember the important questions in the clinic

Contact:
Jenny Ahlstrom
801-901-3042
jenny@crowdcare.org
@mpatientmyeloma

 Cancer Survivor Creates “My Doc Notes”, a New App to Help Patients Remember Important Questions in the Clinic

Feb 21, 2014 [Salt Lake City, UT] Cancer patients plagued by “chemo brain” or other memory issues have a new tool to help them at the doctor’s office. My Doc Notes is a new free smartphone iOS and Android app that helps patients remember important questions for their next doctors’ visit and what was said during the appointment. With the app, recalling important information is never easier.

“It’s easy to get into your appointment, start talking with the doctor and then completely forget what you intended to ask,” says Ahlstrom, multiple myeloma survivor. “Then you have to wait a few weeks or months for another visit to get answers to critical questions. And, perhaps just as important, remembering what your doctor said during a visit, like treatment protocols, medications, and diagnosis can also be a challenge. At least for me, I needed something better than a notepad and pen to keep it all straight.”

My Doc Notes is a free Android and iOS app that provides patients with an easy way to record questions, either by voice or text, for their next doctor visit. Patients can also record their doctor’s visit in a voice memo and play it back later. Those using that app can also upgrade for $1.99, which enables the recorded memos to be emailed. All proceeds of the app go to fund cancer patient education, advocacy and research.

“As a caregiver, I go to all of the doctor appointments with my patient,” says Sharon Reamer. “Now if I can’t be there, she can record the visit and email me the file so it’s like I was there. It’s become an incredibly handy tool.”

“I am jotting down questions in My Doc Notes any time I think of an issue for my next appointment,” says Liz Smith, cancer survivor. “The app is simple and easy to use.”

Cancer experts like Dr. Jatin Shah of MD Anderson say that coming prepared with written questions and a tool to take notes is an important way for patients to get the most out of their doctor’s visit. “Write all of your questions down when you come in. Bring a caregiver with an extra set of ears that can listen and remember and recall what we’ve talked about, and then write down some of those answers that we talked about or have the physician write down some of those answers. That way you can really maximize your time and really feel comfortable leaving and thinking about it over the next few days as you mull over your options,” says Shah.

My Doc Notes was created by Jenny Ahlstrom, multiple myeloma survivor, wife, mom of six and founder of mPatient Myeloma Radio, a live weekly Internet radio interview show interviewing the top doctors and researchers in the field of multiple myeloma.  ”My goal is to make life a little easier for those with cancer because I understand the needs firsthand.”

Find My Doc Notes

My Doc Notes – App Store
My Doc Notes - Google Play Store

About My Doc Notes
My Doc Notes is a free Android and iOS app that provides patients with an easy way to record questions, either by voice or text, for their next doctor visit. Patients can also record their doctor’s visit in a voice memo and play it back later. Those using that app can also upgrade for $1.99, which enables the recorded memos to be emailed. All proceeds of the app go to fund cancer patient education, advocacy and research.

About Jenny Ahlstrom
Jenny Ahlstrom was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2010. Following tandem stem cell transplants and two years of maintenance therapy, Ahlstrom is currently in remission. Along with other patients, Ahlstrom developed www.myelomacrowd.org, which features comprehensive information about Myeloma that is easy to understand and navigate. In addition to the information found on myelomacrowd.org, Ahlstrom also interviews Myeloma specialists throughout the world on the Mpatient Myeloma Radio Show (www.mpatient.org), which broadcasts most Fridays. On the show, experts discuss a range of topics that include protocols, research findings, new medications in the pipeline, and much more. The broadcast is open to the public and call-in information can be found on the www.mpatient.org site. Making a difference in the lives of other Myeloma patients and living long enough to raise her six children (ages six to 19) is her passion. She lives near Salt Lake City, Utah.