If you are a healthy individual or a patient, or if you work in healthcare, you may realize that many options for preventative or rehabilitative care exist online. But, the top 25 free and freemium (basic services for free, charges for advanced or special features) Web apps listed here also provide means for patients and their healthcare providers to communicate online, to share health records and to collaborate for health and wellness. Additionally, doctors or clinics can tap into these resources to streamline office operations.



For Patients and Healthcare Professionals

American Well offers consumers on-demand healthcare services through dependable and widely available communication channels. Using the Internet, digital telephony, and the latest interactive technologies, The Online Care Suite helps consumers get the care they need from their homes. But, it also requires professional use to communicate with patients and for provider-to-provider coordinated care. HealthVault (Microsoft) is a free account that includes personal health information that can be shared with a wide range of Web applications, EMR systems, and health and fitness devices, and with physicians, family members or others they choose. In turn, healthcare professionals can use the individual’s information to help those individuals overcome illness or injury. NoMoreClipboard: This online tool helps you to compile, manage and share your medical records quickly and easily, helping to forever eliminate the doctor’s office clipboard. NoMoreClipboard is recognized as one of the top personal health records on the market, based largely on their ability to help consumers compile, manage and share personal health information with physicians and other care providers. register4Health enables you to share your registration information with any enrolled Physician in a simple and secure manner. The information is stored in Microsoft HealthVault (see above). registeR4Health is available as a hosted solution for hospitals, physician practices and healthcare technology companies. SmartPHR Care Plans simplify coordinating care delivery and information sharing with multiple providers and caregivers. Use the free plan for simple needs, and a cost-base plan for multiple providers in complicated situations. SPINN phr keeps your family connected to each other and to your healthcare team by providing convenient access to your personal health information—anytime, anyplace. SPINN is designed to increase the quality of healthcare, lower cost and improve your family’s health by making critical information available when and where it’s needed.

For Patients

Daily Strength enables members to create and maintain their own groups or to join a group that is filled with individuals who share treatment experiences, illnesses and support. According to the site, this is the largest and most comprehensive health network online. DoublecheckMD is a Web app that allows patients to double check prescriptions, interactions and side effects. You also can list symptoms or abnormal lab tests to see if your drugs might be causing the problems. FreeMD: Dr. Stephen Schueler, an emergency room physician, will interview people who select a topic marked “Virtual Doctor” and tell them what’s wrong. Dr. Schueler helps patients decide if they need a doctor and why. MyMedLab provides consumers with an affordable and convenient way to privately learn about their health. When combined with an annual exam, their screenings create the foundation for health care of the future, one focused on prevention and early detection. Patients Like Me is the leading online community for people with life-changing conditions. Patients embrace the open sharing of personal health data because they believe that this information exchange could change the course of their disease. TrainingPeaks: You can make plans for your fitness through a free or premium account to help you achieve optimum health. Share these plans with your doctor to make sure you are fit enough for some activities (such as motocross).

For Medical Professionals