5 Mobile Apps for Paediatric Physical & Mental Health
Read time: ~ 4 minutes
The world has never been more virtual. Healthcare is not exempted from the digital space. In fact, there are many ways to help manage physical and mental health of children and youth with the use of mobile applications (apps). Moreover, there are several apps that can help the health and well-being of healthcare professionals (HCPs).
Although our didactic presentations are recorded and available for review, the rich discussion and recommendations come from the patient case discussion. The mobile apps recommended below were mentioned during the patient case disssion. We encourage you to submit patient cases and join our live sessions to engage in fruitful conversations around caring for children and youth.
Here are 5 mobile apps that were recommended throughout Paediatric Project ECHOs sessions in 2020:
WebMAP Mobile App
Price: FREE
Users: Youth (10-17 year olds) coping with chronic pain.
This mobile app was mentioned in the Psychosocial Pain Management session. WebMAP was developed by Seattle Children’s Hospital. WebMAP Mobile App is a free app designed to help teens cope with chronic pain at home. It is a 5-6 week cognitive-behavioural program where teens can learn about chronic pain, set goals for increasing physical activities, learn relaxation and imagery strategies and receive interventions for problems with sleep and low mood.
This app is available to download on iPhone and Android.
MyLife
Price: FREE
Users: People of all ages looking to increase social emotional learning skills.
This mobile app was also mentioned in the Psychosocial Pain Management session. The MyLife app is a way for children and youth to regularly check-in on how they are feeling. Based on these regular check-ins, the MyLife app recommends customized mindfulness exercises. Teachers that use this app with their students report an increase on social emotional learning skills such as self-awareness, self-management- relationship skills, social awareness and responsible decision making.
This app is available to download on iPhone and Android.
Monash University FODMAP
Price: $10.99 CAD
Users: People of all ages looking for guidance on a low FODMAP diet.
This mobile app was mentioned in the Abdominal Pain session. This is a fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet app guide. The app includes low FODMAP food recommendations, low FODMAP recipes and a digital on-the-go guide book.
Please note: A consultation with a Registered Dietitian should come before recommending a low FODMAP diet.
MindShiftTM CBT
Price: FREE
Users: People of all ages looking for anxiety relief.
This mobile app was also mentioned in the Psychosocial Pain Management session. The MindShift app provides free evidence-based anxiety relief based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The app provides many features to support CBT including a Thought Journal, Coping Cards, Goal Setting, a Chill Zone and much more.
This app is available to download on iPhone and Android and endosed by Anxiety Canada.
Insight Timer
Price: ‘Freemium’ – free to use basic version with in-app purchases available
Users: People of all ages looking for guided meditation and an online community for wellness.
Online communities are more important than ever just like the Paediatric Project ECHO community of practice. This mobile app was mentioned in the Palliative Care Wellness and Support for Volunteers and Staff session. Insight Timer is a free app for sleep, anxiety and stress. It provides an online community and online guided meditation sessions. Healthcare professionals innately put the care of other first. This is a reminder to take care of yourself.
Do you have more app recommendations? Let us know by emailing us at project.echo@sickkids.ca or join us at our next session!
Paediatric Project ECHO is not sponsored by any of the mobile applications listed above. These mobile applications are complimentary management tools and are not meant to replace consultations with healthcare professionals.