Halifax County resident praises YourHealthNS app for empowering patients

A Halifax County woman is crediting the YourHealthNS app for helping her stay on top of her medications better and allowing her to dive deep into her own medical records.

Retiree Debra Smith spent her career in I.T. as a civilian employee with the RCMP, and she believes the YourHealthNS app is a gateway to personal empowerment and better health management.

“It’s not that hard to use,” she said of the app. “It just takes a little and you can do that yourself.”

Smith uses it to read her own medical reports and track her health history. “I want to read every test I’ve got,” she said. “You have to be your own advocate for your health and this app helps with that.”

The app, launched in partnership with Nova Scotia Health, IWK Health and the Government of Nova Scotia, offers users access to personal health records, appointment bookings, vaccine history and more. Smith said she first learned about the app on TV.

One time, she experienced stroke-like symptoms due to a medication interaction. “I had a droopy face, slurred speech; it was scary,” she said. “It turned out to be a reaction between a migraine medication and a new blood pressure drug.”

While in hospital, Smith used the app to review her medications and cross-referenced them online.

She also discovered anti-inflammatory drugs could raise blood pressure due to sodium content. It was a revelation she attributes to her proactive use of the app.

Beyond emergencies, Smith said the app has helped her stay on top of routine care. “I love to look at wait times, book bloodwork appointments and check my vaccination status,” she said.

Smith also praised Nova Scotia Health’s free online courses, which she found through social media. “They offer courses on muscle building, managing A1C levels and they’re all on Zoom,” she said. “You can ask questions and learn from professionals you trust.”

She has also encouraged friends to download the app and explore its features.

While she credits her longtime primary care provider for all the care she’s received over the years, Smith believes patients also must take responsibility for their own health. The app has given her peace of mind. “Information is power,” she said. “If we don’t take care of ourselves, who’s going to?”

Photo of YourHealthNS app user Debra Smith.