Retired Antigonish farmer credits YourHealthNS app for strengthening health info access

Paul Hemens, an 80‑year‑old retired farmer living near Antigonish, credits the YourHealthNS app for conveniently putting his healthcare history at his fingertips.

He considers the digital instrument a win for self-advocacy and a path to improved care options.

Hemens’ family physician invited him to try the app a few years ago. “I was an experimental user of it when it was first introduced,” he recalled.

The app provides patients with access to lab results, appointment reminders and other health information. Hemens said its value lies in helping patients prepare for conversations with their primary care providers. “It’s not much use if you don’t self‑educate,” he said. “The information is there and it’s extremely valuable.”

Hemens said the app is best used in partnership with medical professionals. He described the app’s transparency as a major benefit. “It empowers you tremendously,” he said. “Primary care providers are dealing with hundreds of patients and you do have to speak up for yourself, especially as you age.”

Although he admits the app does not affect his daily routine directly, Hemens said it provides reassurance and context. “Being informed and knowing what to expect helps me overall,” he said. “Obviously that has a day‑to‑day effect.”

He hopes the medical community continues to support the program. “It can make for more tangible, more useful relationships with nurse practitioners,” Hemens said. “It’s a good thing, but it will be a great deal better as other people self‑educate and more providers lean into it.”

Downloading and accessing the YourHealthNS app is free of charge. Hemens said the program is so good, he’d be willing to shell out to keep it on his phone.

“I’m very happy with it,” he explained, “I would pay for it.”