# New at PicnicHealth: AI assistant, issue flagging, caregiver appreciation and more!

By

the PicnicHealth Team

Dec 11, 2024 • 1 min read

We're excited to tell you more about some of our latest features.

### **✨Picnic - our new AI assistant**

For years we’ve been honing our technology to extract information from medical records and we’re thrilled to now put it directly in your hands to help you understand and navigate your care. You can interact with Picnic in the form of [**AI powered search**](https://app.picnichealth.com/medical-records), to find answers from your medical records, and also through [**smart pinboards**](https://app.picnichealth.com/medical-records), a way to quickly create a collection of key records for a health condition based on personalized suggestions. Picnic can also help you understand the contents of your records by explaining medical terminology. This is just the beginning and we’re looking forward to continuing to expand what our assistant is capable of.

### **🚩 Flag Issues on your Timeline**

We process thousands of pages of medical records every day and while our system is generally very good at extracting the right information, every now and then we make a mistake. If you notice something wrong on your [**Timeline**](https://app.picnichealth.com/medical-records/visit-timeline) - like the wrong specialty, date or doctor - you now have a way to flag the issue for our team to correct it. Just click “Report Issue” in the menu, tell us a little more about the mistake and we’ll get to work fixing it.

### **⭐️ Item Counts on the Health Dashboard**

On the [**Health Dashboard**](https://app.picnichealth.com/medical-records), you’ll now see how many items in each category (e.g. Visits, Lab Results) have been gathered and digitized. You’ll also see what’s new including suggestions for medications or conditions that you might want to add to your list. We hope this makes it easier to understand the status of your records.

### **💰 Reminder: Where to Find Rewards**

We’ve recently heard from a lot of you that you’re having trouble finding study rewards. If you’ve completed a study activity that is eligible for a reward, you’ll see this reflected on the Rewards section of your [**Research Dashboard**](https://app.picnichealth.com/research). To get to the Research Dashboard, click “Research” in the top navigation or on mobile, you’ll find the link in the menu. From the Rewards section, click on claim your rewards, and within a week, you'll receive a digital gift card from Giftbit as a thank you. If you’re still having trouble, please reach out to [help@picnichealth.com](mailto:help@picnichealth.com) for support.

### **💞 Special Shoutout: Recognizing Caregivers for Caregiver Awareness Month**

November was Caregiver Awareness Month, and at PicnicHealth, we want to honor the essential role caregivers play in the healthcare journey. Read our latest [**shareback**](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66aab8f9023e9cb8fd3202e8/6753962f5620869d22b525ac_Caregiver%20Awareness%20Month.pdf) to learn more about our caregiver community and how we support them.

## We know that every person's story is unique and deserves to be heard.

Join our early breast cancer registry to be counted and share your story with research.

[Learn More](/content/breastcancer?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic_search&utm_campaign=grace-ebc-treatment/index.html)

### Create a List

List the names of all the doctors, hospitals, and other facilities your loved one visits regularly, along with those they have visited in the past. Try to go back as far as you can, striving for at least the last 5-10 years, but do your best. Even if you can’t remember them all, having a strong baseline can help you quickly identify gaps in records.

#### Ensure You Have the Appropriate Legal Status

It is important to make sure that you are fully empowered to make decisions on behalf of your loved one with Alzheimer’s. Your relationship status with the patient may not be enough to legally give you access to your loved one's medical information. It is a good idea to talk to an expert about securing special legal status, such as Power of Attorney (POA), a legal document that allows an individual to name someone as their decision maker should they no longer be able to make decisions on their own.

#### Gather and Organize the Medical Records in One Place

It’s important to have all of your loved one’s medical records together in one spot. This makes it much easier for you and your loved one’s physicians to accurately map the patient’s medical journey and more easily share information between doctors. Fortunately, tools exist to make record management and access simple. A free resource like PicnicHealth helps you collect and organize all of this information. PicnicHealth’s intuitive timeline allows you to pinpoint data across the medical history, eliminating your need for keeping heavy binders filled with paper records or keeping track of multiple software portal logins.

#### Review the Medical Records to be an Informed Advocate

The better you understand your loved one's medical history, the better you can advocate on their behalf. Access and understanding of this information will help you to ask informed questions with physicians. Through regular communication backed by the data in the medical records, you can help your loved one’s care team develop a more successful care plan.

### Learn more about PicnicHealth’s commitment to the Alzheimer’s community and the Alzheimer’s Association

[Learn More](/content/alzheimers-association/index.html)  
  
[Download Guide](/content/manage-caregiver-stress-brochure/index.html)

## Together, we can make a difference.

Learn more about PicnicHealth’s commitment to the Alzheimer’s community and the Alzheimer’s Association.

[Learn More](/content/learn-more/product-update-dec24#/index.html)

### 1. Build a support network.

When you’re juggling appointment times and insurance claims, putting a robust support system together might not strike you as the most urgent task. Investing the time to cultivate relationships with people can turn to in times of need will pay dividends. The next time you need a last-minute ride or just someone to listen, you won’t be on your own.

There are many condition-specific support groups and support groups for caregivers generally in person or online. In addition to the encouragement and empathy they provide, support groups can be a helpful source of tips, resources, and recommendations for navigating caregiving.

### 2. Stay organized.

The backbone of effective caregiving is organization. Keep medical information, appointment schedules, and medication lists in order. Use a planner or a digital service like PicnicHealth to stay on top of your responsibilities. This attention to detail can prevent future complications and reduce day-to-day stress.

### 3. Explore treatments and clinical trials.

We’ve seen incredible breakthroughs in treatment over the past couple of years, powered by patients and their caregivers participating in research. Stay in the loop about the latest in medical advancements and available resources that could benefit your loved one. Whether it’s a new therapy option or a community service that aids independence, being informed can make a world of difference in the quality of care you provide.

### 4. Make time for self-care.

It may seem self-centered to focus on self-care—but when you feel good, you can be a better caregiver. Whether it’s exercise, a mindfulness practice, a soak in the bath, or just time to rest when you need it, carve out those moments in the day when you can unwind, reset, and stay healthy mentally and physically. Think of it as building up your reserves of kindness, patience, and understanding—which can only benefit your loved one. No one can pour from an empty cup.

## Having trouble managing your loved one's medical records?

Easily manage all of your loved one's medical records and contribute to ongoing Alzheimer's research with PicnicHealth.

[Learn More](/content/program/alzheimers/index.html)

[Sign Up Now](/content/patients/programs/index.html)

#### LC-FAOD Odyssey: A Preliminary Analysis, presented at INFORM 2021  
##### Data from real-world medical records:

(from 13 patients with LC-FAOD)

16 yrs old  
Median age at enrollment

38% Female

15 providers / patient

7.5 years of data / patient

##### Data from patient-reported outcome (PRO) survey

(from 13 patients with LC-FAOD)

We hope you found this session informative! Sign up for PicnicHealth’s Alzheimer’s research program below.

[Join Now](/content/program/alzheimers/index.html)  
[Download Presentation](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/621d1905031cff21e84611fa/63d06bc32a41eb115dfe7ddb_PNH%20Webinar%20January%202023%20PDF%20_%20PicnicHealth%20.pdf)  
[Participate in PNH Research](/content/program/pnh/index.html)

**Tip:** Download or print the poster at the end of this article to review before your next appointment!

However, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian to determine the appropriate amount of protein for your individual needs. In general, a diet with moderate protein intake (about 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day) is recommended for people with kidney diseases.

## Learn more about contributing to IgAN research with PicnicHealth.

[Learn More](/content/igan/index.html)

## Useful Resources

### 10 Foods to Avoid for Healthy Kidneys
[Download PDF](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/621d1905031cff21e84611fa/646e8950dba5caf36e6b48af_10%20Foods%20That%20You%20Should%20Avoid%20to%20Maintain%20Healthy%20Kidneys.pdf)

### Keep an Eye on These Test Results
[Download PDF](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/621d1905031cff21e84611fa/6479062f4769e4a300fb256e_Keep%20an%20Eye%20on%20These%20Test%20Results.pdf)

### Resource Flyer
[Download PDF](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/621d1905031cff21e84611fa/6568f433e78763caaf755548_Achon%20Resource%20Flyer.pdf)

### Pre-Appointment Worksheet
[Download PDF](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/621d1905031cff21e84611fa/6568f43395c27f4dccc07a8f_Pre-Appointment%20Worksheet.pdf)

## What to Expect

Before your video call:

### Schedule your visit
Schedule your visit through your PicnicHealth Research Dashboard or via the link sent to your email.
### Check your confirmation
Check your email for a confirmation with your scheduled video call time and instructions.
