In an age when almost everyone is a
smartphone user, a new trend has emerged
among health care providers: prescribing
patients phone apps for
quick access to health
and wellness tools.
“MapMyFitness and
MyFitnessPal are two
I favor in particular,” says Jennifer Bang, MD,
family medicine specialist at Methodist Family
Health Center – Preston Hollow. Both apps
allow you to track your physical activity and
meals for optimal fitness and nutrition. “They
are extremely user-friendly, and they are
customizable to your exact plan and way of
losing and managing weight.”
Dr. Bang says she uses MapMyFitness when
she goes running.
“It’s wonderful because it gives you stats
and updates during your workout so you know
exactly where you stand,” she says.
Apps can help with other health
goals besides weight loss, too —
managing medications, tracking
diabetes, breaking the tobacco
habit, or coping with menopause,
for example. Just be sure to talk
to your physician about whether
these tools are right for you.
education and lactation coordinator.
“Most mothers arrive at the hospital
planning to breastfeed, and we
are dedicated to helping each
patient carry out her wishes. It’s
our responsibility to encourage our
patients to make informed decisions
and to prepare them to take their
new baby home.”
When it comes to breastfeeding,
Methodist Dallas has instituted
some supportive practices:
w
w
Rooming-in.
Each baby is now
cared for in his or her mother’s
room, allowing families to be a
part of the baby’s care.
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Skin-to-skin bonding time.
Placing baby directly on mom’s
chest allows mother and baby
to recover together in the
safest environment.
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Precious moments.
These
designated quiet times allow
parents and babies to rest,
bond, and breastfeed without
interruption from visitors or
hospital staff.
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Discontinued use of pacifiers.
Per recommendations by
the American Academy of
Pediatrics, Methodist Dallas
instead focuses on teaching
families to recognize baby’s
signs of hunger. Pacifiers can
mask these cues and cause
families to under- or overfeed.
Rx for your smartphone
CONNECT WITH US ONLINE
If your physician is a MedHealth provider,
you have access to Methodist Health
Connect, an online patient portal. Learn
more about this interactive site at
or through your provider’s office. To
find a provider on our medical staff,
for baby
MyFitnessPal
MapMyFitness
“I knew how important
breastfeeding was for my
daughter, and it meant
the world to me to be able
to get help when it wasn’t
going the way I thought
it would. Dr. Patton and
my lactation consultant
saved my sanity!”
— Joanne
Baham, Dallas mom
Methodist Dallas Medical Center
•
❁
Spring 2014
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