Many people with chronic conditions find that it makes a huge difference to receive support from others dealing with the same challenges. For this reason, the Elsa Science app was developed in Sweden to connect patients who wish to share their experiences, gain knowledge about their condition, and take an active part in their health care.
Using a science-based motivational and educational support system, the Elsa Science app brings together individuals, families, patient organizations, care providers, manufacturers, and researchers to enable them to learn from one another and to help patients with chronic conditions to enjoy a higher quality of life.
The first chronic condition on which the Elsa Science app is focusing is rheumatoid arthritis, which causes inflammation in the joints, typically in the hands, wrists and knees, leading to debilitating pain and a loss of quality of life.
“Rheumatoid arthritis is a life-changing condition, and living with and managing rheumatoid arthritis on your own can be difficult at the best of times. The Elsa Science app gives patients a platform to communicate with others dealing with the same challenges. It can be a huge relief to feel that you are not alone and that others may have experiences they can share, and that you may also be able to provide support,” Sofia Svanteson, Co-founder and CEO of the Elsa Science App.
The patient downloads the app, enters their information, and follows the changes over time. They can also attend educational programmes within the app, for example, to learn how lifestyle habits and physical activity can improve their health. Information on pain, tiredness, soreness and swelling, well-being, physical activity, weight, medications, etc. can be shared with health-care providers or the patient’s own rheumatology specialist or health clinic.
Using a tailored plan, Elsa guides the users through their daily lives.
“The Elsa app gives me a simple overview of my well-being and how exercise and medication affect me. When I started my medication, it was very helpful to monitor my symptoms and identify that I was feeling worse on the days preceding the injection. The pattern was clear and easy to share with my doctor, who changed my prescription to increase the frequency of my injections, which led to more balanced health,” says Thomas, an Elsa app user.
“With the help of the Elsa app, I can get an overview of the symptoms and how I am affected by them, in a clear and simple way,” says Johanna, an Elsa app user.
The next step in the app’s development will involve supporting patients with other rheumatic disorders.
“The digital world opens up opportunities that we could not have dreamed of previously. The Elsa Science app empowers the patient, which can be a great boost to motivation in managing their condition. We see the results in the form of improved adherence to medication regimens, increased communication between the patient and their health-care provider, as well as better well-being overall,” says Sofia Svanteson.
This feature story is one of a series to showcase how digital technologies can be harnessed to provide smarter health care. These case stories are among those to be presented at the WHO European conference on tackling NCDs through digital solutions.