What We Do

The HealthDesk’s goal is to increase health literacy in the Washington, D.C. With healthcare becoming more digital and online, major barrier to managing one’s healthcare is understanding how to use emerging digital applications and technologies. The HealthDesk introduces residents to these technologies in a three-set process.

Step 1: Registration

  • Community volunteer engages residents to approach HealthDesk
  • Resident goes through digital registration that yields a real-time automated but custom email with curated health content.
  • Health content topics include: diabetes, high blood pressure, healthy lifestyle, pregnancy, stress and stroke
  • Based on registration responses, automated recommendations for HealthDesk technician support are given as resident proceeds to the next step

Step 2: Meet Volunteer Technician

Based on the customized recommendations from registration, the HealthDesk Technician proceeds to help residents based on registration recommendations and resident’s needs. This includes:

  • Downloading patient portal
  • Optimizing phone- Alarms or Medical ID, Accessibility Features
  • Providing curated Apps (ex. Head Space, BabyScripts…)

Step 3: Checkout

  • Resident fills out survey question asking about their likelihood to recommend the HealthDesk to others
  • Once completed, resident can pick out a giveaway item and GoodRx Discount cards and will receive a HealthDesk bag.

With volunteers from the local community and from the medical community, the HealthDesk works to establish trust and address patient issues. At the HealthDesk, we strive to teach residents about these technologies and empower them to use it.