A misplaced vaccination record, a missing bonus booklet, or simply a lack of knowledge about preventive health insurance benefits. There are many reasons why doctor's appointments are missed. Intelligent technology can help: For example, the customizable preventive care app Benesana basic from the Munich-based startup Interactive Engineering.
Which medical checkups are important, and what should be done if, for example, the deadline for a vaccination booster has been missed? These are questions that should be answered quickly in the future. The Benesana app not only aims to remind users of upcoming doctor's appointments, but also to provide users with such important information.
Free preventive services are often not requested
Prevention is better than cure, as we all know, and the earlier diseases are detected, the higher the chances of recovery. That's why statutory health insurance (GKV) covers the costs of a whole range of vaccinations and preventative medical examinations. However, many eligible individuals don't request these helpful preventative services. Often because they or their guardians don't know when they're due.
Example of the J1 youth health examination: It detects developmental disorders in teenagers and serves to prevent long-term health risks, but according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), it is only used by one-third of 12- to 14-year-olds - and particularly rarely by young people with a migrant background or with a single parent.
“Many are simply overwhelmed by the task of keeping track of what can or should be done medically to prevent disease,”
says Fabian Queisser, CEO of Interactive Engineering, an e-health company he founded four and a half years ago. That's why he and his team developed the "Benesana basic" prevention app for smartphones. It differs from other tools currently available on the market, primarily in that it essentially thinks for itself and can flexibly adapt to each person's individual situation.
"Benesana basic not only automatically reminds you of appointments that are synchronized with your calendar. The app also remembers, for example, when deadlines have passed, and may calculate new due dates, etc."
explained Queisser.
Personalized retirement planning: No more important appointments are missed
Modern technology makes it possible: An intuitive traffic light system serves as an assistant for users. It signals and updates their personal health care status: The app marks overdue appointments with red circles, while upcoming checkups or vaccinations are highlighted in yellow. Green represents completed tasks, and gray represents plans for the coming years.
"This way, even missed appointments remain in your memory and can be made up for at a later date. Only then will the red entry be changed to green or deleted."
thinks Queisser further.
If the required intervals for primary vaccination have not been observed, the program automatically calculates new vaccination dates to achieve long-term protection. This is based on recommendations and the latest guidelines from the Standing Committee on Vaccination of the Robert Koch Institute (STIKO) and the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG).
Individually expandable: a great relief, especially for families
“Self-generated data can also be fed in at any time, for example, if you suffer from a chronic illness, need to undergo further preventive examinations as a diabetic, or if additional vaccinations and intervals are advisable due to a trip,”
emphasized Queisser further. The basic version of the app is free. However, anyone who wants to create additional profiles—for example, for their own children—pays an annual fee of €2.99.
