MealLogger and other digital nutrition platforms offer uniquely valuable tools for telehealth, according to an invited review on remote dietary assessment technology. The paper, published in Nutrition in Clinical Practice, the official publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, speaks to outpatient clinicians performing remote nutrition assessments in the era of telehealth.
Recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a transition from traditional healthcare to a virtual setting, researchers and registered dietitians at Stanford Health Care and San José State University wrote that “it is reasonable to anticipate that performing nutrition assessments remotely via telehealth in the outpatient setting may become a norm.” They shared that “an increasing number of research studies involving digital tools demonstrate improvement in clinical outcomes such as weight, hemoglobin A1c, and nutrition knowledge” as “telehealth consultations are effective, and there are signs that many patients actually prefer the telehealth modality.” Another benefit, they added, is the potential for patient cost savings given how conveniently digital tools can be integrated into everyday life.
MealLogger was addressed, specifically, as one of the most popular smartphone- and web-based application platforms available. The authors commented on its ability to offer nutrition programs based on specific dietary recommendations, to integrate with existing hospital IT structures, and to anonymize data analysis for group interaction and engagement. MealLogger is also HIPAA-compliant, which the team underscored as a requisite for successful integration into medical practice. Understanding its breadth of offerings, they acknowledged that MealLogger can “provide additional features for providers/users in settings such as healthcare organizations, small businesses, and research teams” and concluded with the affirmation that, “When used as complementary tools, these digital applications can enhance individualized and patient-centered nutrition therapy.”Reference:Mauldin K, Gieng J, Saarony D, Hu C. Performing nutrition assessment remotely via telehealth. Nutr Clin Pract. 2021;36(4):751-768. doi:10.1002/ncp.10682
Reference:
Mauldin K, Gieng J, Saarony D, Hu C. Performing nutrition assessment remotely via telehealth. Nutr Clin Pract. 2021;36(4):751-768. doi:10.1002/ncp.10682