Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has introduced an online symptom checker tool, designed to help patients understand and manage their musculoskeletal symptoms.
Physio Checker aims to support patients understand the type of pain they’re feeling and points them in the right direction for finding the best care. Users are prompted to select the area of their body that’s in pain, followed by a series of questions around lifestyle factors and other symptoms, before being offered tailored advice and support.
Noting the main benefits of the tool, the trust’s advanced physiotherapist and lead developer for the symptom checker, James Bell said: “If you are waiting for a physiotherapy appointment or you’ve simply not got around to seeking help for a joint or muscle problem, our new online symptom checker can help you take control of your musculoskeletal health in just a few clicks”.
According to James, the Physio Checker primarily focuses on the “key areas of the body where people commonly experience musculoskeletal pain”, which includes the back, the neck and the joints, aiming to provide patients with access to self-help support that can help to “ease symptoms and speed up recovery”.
Online digital tools supporting patient care: the wider trend
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS FT launched their own web application called DigiVis DVA, which allows patients to test their own vision and keep track of their own eye health via their smartphones. It reportedly uses an algorithm to calculate the results before they are sent to the patient via text message or email.
NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB developed a new website offering support and advice to neurodivergent people of all ages. According to the ICB, the tool acts as a central hub for people with ADHD and autism, offering them a “safe space online” where they can access tailored and practical advice for navigating a range of health systems and services.
Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital recently implemented an NHS Streaming and Redirection (S and R) tool as part of their emergency departments, with the aim to “improve patient flow and reduce waiting times” through self check-ins. The tool uses an algorithm to help with clinical assessment, asking patients a series of questions and then assigning an acuity score before directing them to one of four possible outcomes.
Last month, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust launched the HealthZone UK app to support cancer patients and their families, providing access to relevant information, guidance, and advice. It’s free to download and covers a range of physical and mental health conditions, while also signposting to local and national charities or groups that can help.
