When Healthcare Workers Put Their Own Health First
Healthcare professionals spend their days caring for others, but who's taking care of them?
The Problem
Healthcare workers often neglect their own wellbeing. Long shifts and constant stress leave little time for self-care. For years, a medical center in rural Georgia watched costs climb while their staff wasn't prioritizing preventive care.
The Solution
Six years ago, they implemented MyCharlie, a smartphone app that checks vitals using just a phone camera. A 60-second face scan delivers eight measurements, from blood pressure to heart rate variability.
No appointments. No time away from work. Just quick health monitoring that fits into any shift.
The Strategy
They didn't just hand out an app. The app became their primary communication channel for wellness initiatives, reaching employees on a platform they already used daily.
The Results
After six years: 90% of employees actively use the app. Industry average for wellness programs? 20-40%.
Engagement continues climbing year over year.
Real Impact
One evening at a sporting event, one of their employees felt off. They checked their vitals on the app. Blood pressure was significantly elevated.
Instead of going to the ER or ignoring it, they took a walk and practiced breathing exercises. Twenty minutes later, they checked again. Numbers were normal.
No doctor's appointment. No costly ER visit. Just immediate access to information and the knowledge to respond.
This happens regularly now. Employees catch issues early, follow up with physicians proactively, and manage their health before problems escalate.
Why It Works
What We Have Learned
With healthcare costs rising 15-20% annually, the challenge isn't managing costs after employees get sick. It's preventing those claims from happening.
This medical center shows what's possible: employees catching issues early, fewer ER visits, lower claims costs, and a healthier workforce.
Technology alone isn't enough.
But accessible tools + thoughtful incentives + leadership commitment = sustained behavior change.
These healthcare workers still care for others every day. Now they're caring for themselves too, one 60-second check-in at a time.
Schedule a demo to see how MyCharlie combines smartphone vital monitoring with 24/7 health coaching to drive down claims costs while improving employee health.
This is such an important topic and largely invisible in the public sphere. Thank you for bringing attention to it Juliette Simpson, LCSW