Frequently Asked Questions for Patients
The Importance and Reliability of App Data: What You Need to Know as a User
Q: What is MyCrossborderHealthApp?
A: MyCrossborderHealthApp is an app that allows refugees to collect, store, and carry their vital health information on their smartphone while also giving them complete control over their health information.
Q: What are the good things about using MyCrossborderHealthApp?
A: MyCrossborderHealthApp helps me to get better and safer healthcare because the health professional can see my medical history. The app uses codes that doctors all over the world can understand, so they can read past diagnoses and medicine prescriptions
Q: How can doctors and nurses know that the health information stored in the app is real and correct?
A: While the app has features that allow health professionals to update a user’s health record, verifying the accuracy of the information in the app may be challenging due to the differences in healthcare systems and regulations across the world. However, the app is designed to foster trust between patients and health professionals, and users are encouraged to provide honest and accurate information. Health professionals can also use the app as one source of information and rely on their professional expertise to validate and confirm the information provided.
Q: Are there any language barriers in using the app for non-native speakers?
A: The MyCrossborderHealthApp has been designed to be easy to use for people who speak different languages. It is available in multiple languages, and the diagnoses and medication are coded. This means that people can use the app to store their vital health information, regardless of where they are from or what language they speak. The app’s simple design and international coding make it easy for anyone to use, even if they are not fluent in the language of the country where they are seeking medical care.
Understanding How the App Works
Q: How does MyCrossborderHealthApp work?
A: MyCrossborderHealthApp is a phone app that collects, stores, and shares important health information using a smartphone. Users can share their health information with health professionals using a secure QR code. Health professionals can update the information using a separate app called CrossBorderHealthConnect.
Q: What health information can my health professional put in MyCrossborderHealthApp?
A: They can put important health information in MyCrossborderHealthApp that can help other health professionals take good care of you. This includes things like your medical history, any allergies you have, and the medications you take.
Q: Can health professionals make notes or comments on the user’s health information within the app?
A: Yes, it is possible to make notes in the app.
Q: Can anyone use the MyCrossborderHealthApp?
A: Yes, anyone who travels (inter)nationally and wants to make sure their health professionals have access to their important health information can use the MyCrossborderHealthApp. It is not just for refugees, but for all people who want to keep their medical information safe and accessible.
Q: Can health professionals add information to a user’s health record?
A: Yes, health professionals can add information to a user’s health record using the CrossBorderHealthConnect app. However, the user can choose whether or not to accept these changes.
Q: Can health professionals access MyCrossborderHealthApp through their electronic health record systems?
A: No, MyCrossborderHealthApp is a separate app and cannot be accessed through electronic health record systems used by health professionals. The app is designed to be used independently, regardless of IT infrastructure differences across situations and locations.
Security and privacy
Q: Is MyCrossborderHealthApp safe?
A: Yes, MyCrossborderHealthApp is safe. The app keeps user data private and secure by only storing it on the user’s own device. Users should lock their device for added security. When health professionals make changes, they use a secure QR code to protect privacy. Users can also back up their data to a cloud service like iCloud or Google Drive in case their phone is lost or damaged. However, it’s important to remember that the security of the cloud service is the user’s responsibility.
Q: How is information stored and kept safe in the MyCrossborderHealthApp?
A: The MyCrossborderHealthApp stores data only on the user’s device to protect their privacy and safety. The information is kept secure with the help of the device’s security measures, such as a password or a fingerprint. Furthermore, users can back up their data to a cloud service, such as iCloud or Google Drive, to prevent data loss in the event of a lost or damaged device. However, it is important to note that the security of the cloud service is ultimately the responsibility of the user.
Q: Can health professionals see a user’s health information without their permission?
A: No, health professionals cannot see a user’s health information without their permission. Users can choose which health professional to share their information with using a secure QR code generated in the app.
Q: Does the health professional store my data?
A: To view, update, or input additional data, the healthcare provider uses a separate application, CrossBorderHealthConnect. This app does not store data on the healthcare provider’s device, and the MyCrossBorderHealthApp user remains the sole owner of their own vital health information.
What if I lose my phone?
Q: What if someone loses their phone or it gets stolen while using MyCrossborderHealthApp?
A: If you lose your phone or it gets stolen, your health information stored in the app could be at risk. To keep your data safe, it is important to lock your phone with a password or PIN code. You can also back up your data to a cloud service like iCloud or Google Drive, but remember to protect your cloud account with a strong password.
About the Creators of the MyCrossBorderHealthApp
Q: Who created MyCrossborderHealthApp?
A: The MyCrossborderHealthApp was developed by two software developers and two general practitioners who recognized that critical health information is often lost during forced migration, and this negatively impacts the quality of care received by refugees. They believe that refugees should have control over their own health data and created a simple, easy-to-use app that stores data directly on the user’s device.