Media Reaction
NAME: Mary FitzGerald
INTERVIEW: Dan Danagher 6th Nov, 2009
OCCUPATION: Inventor of BodyTab
I WAS ASKED THE SAME QUESTIONS AND FOUND THEM HARD TO RECALL.
I THOUGHT THERE MUST BE A BETTER WAY !
A cancer survivor has developed a unique product aimed at putting healthcare back in your own hands.
Mary FitzGerald created BodyTab to help families manage their health records. It stores your medical history and allows you test and monitor relatives for asthmas, abnormal cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
Mary, from Ennis, Co. Clare, who is now fully recovered, said: “As I went from doctor to doctor and specialist to specialist, I was asked the same questions about family history, immunisations, allergies and medications.
“I found this important information difficult to remember during my illness. However, it was essential in building up a picture for my carers. I figured there must be a better way and so I set about developing a system that anyone could use “.
Up to 12 medical records can be saved on each BodyTab. Mary has now secured a deal with Unicare pharmacies to sell the unique product in their 72 Irish stores. She said “I have a positive attitude to life and I believe that every cloud has a silver lining.
“Developing BodyTab has been hard work but very rewarding. Unicare’s endorsement shows the effort was worthwhile. Hopefully other patients will benefit from my experience.
Dr. Brian Maurer, medical director of the Irish heart Foundation, believes BodyTab reduces the risk of error because it allows patients and their families “to participate actively in their care”.
He added: “Having a comprehensive health history and an up do date record to hand enables healthcare teams to give patients the best advice and treatment.
“with BodyTab, it is easy for everyone to have an accurate record and to add (new) health information including important details – like over the counter therapies, medications, regular blood pressure readings or a new illness in the family – to their health records.
“It means they can then share this when needed with their healthcare team”. If you are interested this product log onto www.bodytab.ie
