Why a Journal?

Journaling is the act of writing in a diary. It has been shown to decrease blood pressure, ease symptoms of depression, and improve immune functioning. Journaling about emotionally distressing situations helps in healing and processing. It affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, and physical health positively.

Digital diaries offer proven benefits for patients, their families, healthcare staff and hospitals

Benefits of Journaling

Journaling positively impacts mental and physical health, aiding emotional processing and reducing stress, while also benefiting healthcare workers by decreasing burnout and increasing compassion.

Helps drive care quality, innovative, and personalized care services

Engages families in care thereby improving patient outcomes

Reduces clinical staff burden and increases efficiency by streamlining communication

Increases patient satisfaction and HCAHPS scores

Provides valuable, real-time insights into a patient’s emotional state, mental health, and recovery progress, enabling timely interventions and personalized care.

Provides ongoing support, even after discharge, helping patients track their mental and emotional health long-term.

Griffin Health x Journafy

At Griffin Health, the Post-ICU digital diary has been implemented as part of their holistic approach to healthcare and as part of their vision on person-centered care.

This Case Study examines the challenges Griffin faced and how we overcame them in collaboration.

How Journafy works?

Journafy combines the power of narrative medicine with intuitive digital tools to improve patient care,
empower caregivers, and enhance the healthcare experience for all involved.

1. Implementation and Training

Partnered hospitals go through an implementation process guided by our experts. Any technical or legal concerns will be addressed. After completing all the steps, there will be a (online) presentation for professional caregivers.

We explain how they can inform patients and family members about Journafy, and provide you with the necessary materials.

2. Keeping the Diary for the Patient

The caregiver hands the envelope to the patient or their legal guardian. Inside, there is a personal diary code which can be used to create the digital diary. Patients, families, and caregivers can create secure, customized diaries to document experiences, emotions, and milestones in real time. The platform supports text, photos, audio, and video entries.

3. Customized Journaling Based on the Use Case

Each type of journal—whether for ICU, NICU, oncology, assisted living, or behavioral health—is tailored to meet the specific needs of the care setting, ensuring maximum relevance and impact.

4. Actionable Data for Healthcare Teams

By integrating narrative and clinical data, Journafy provides actionable insights that enhance decision-making, improve outcomes, and reduce costs across the care continuum.

"Griffin adopted this innovative care tool, Post-ICU, as part of its longstanding commitment to delivering Planetree person-centered care, an approach to healthcare that produces superior patient care and a humanized health care experience that emphasizes compassion, equity, and the active participation of patients and their families."

“Post-ICU has helped staff as well. We’re able to look back at all of the previous journal entries, just to kind of see what other caregivers have written in the diary. And, honestly, it’s nice for staff too because they are able to see the progress that the patient has made through their ICU journey as well. And it’s a nice reflection for the family.”

"Post-ICU decreases the incidence of PTSD, as well as PICS and its accompanying disorder, PICS-Family."