Habit Care is the culmination of joint work between Human Care Systems (HCS) and a team of psychologists and other behavioral experts from Harvard University, Boston University, and the University of New Mexico. Habit Care is a simple, time-efficient software and phone-based tool that facilitates providers through a process to help patients change habits and lifestyle.

The idea for Habit Care came from HCS’s founder and CEO, Matt Hall. Matt is a long-time student of two related issues: First, the role of habit and behavior in health and, second, the relationship between patients and providers. As co-founder of the Kerdan Group, a healthcare consulting firm, Matt has pursued the question of how the provider/patient relationship, the single most powerful lever to help patients change behavior, could be used more effectively.

Patient behavior and habits drive healthcare costs. In 2007, 75% of US healthcare spending went to care for patients with chronic care conditions yet 44% percent of the time chronically ill patients didn’t receive the recommended preventative care and 33% of patients say they leave doctor’s offices confused about what they should do to continue their care. Physicians have limited time and tools to help patients change patient behaviors. Patients are usually confused and cannot change their behaviors including adhering to medications without help. This leads to poor and expensive health outcomes.

Habit Care is a comprehensive behavior change program that helps patients with implementing the habits and behavior changes that are integral to their health. It is a tailored intervention based on strong behavior science to help health care providers efficiently and effectively promote the adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviors among patients.

Please feel free to contact Matt at 617-252-6531 or mhall@humancaresystems.com with questions or thoughts.