What is the Spruce Health App?

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Spruce Health is a secure, HIPAA-compliant communication app used by Hilbert’s Whole Health Psychiatry as the primary and required method of communication outside of scheduled appointments. The app is free and easy to set up and ensures that all patient-provider communication is confidential, streamlined, and documented appropriately.

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Getting Started with Spruce

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Once your initial appointment request is received, you’ll receive an invite link to connect with Hilbert's Whole Health Psychiatry on Spruce -  via text and/or email.

To begin:

1. Accept the invite by clicking the link and following the prompts

2. Download the free Spruce Health app to your smartphone or tablet - Turn notifications ON in the app

3. Begin using Spruce for all communication with your provider

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Patients Already Using Spruce

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If you are already connected with Spruce from a different practice or provider, you can add another practice (this practice) from within the app as long as you have the practice-specific Spruce Link (i.e., hilbertswholehealthpsychiatry).

To add another provider from within the app: 
   1    Navigate to your "Get Care" tab on your mobile device.
   2    Scroll down until you see "Join another Clinic."
   3    Click on it and then enter the end of your provider's Spruce Link (hilbertswholehealthpsychiatry)
   4    Select "Next" and follow the prompt to fully connect.

 

***Once you've accepted more than one Spruce invitation, the different clinics will appear in your Get Care. You will see the option to call or secure message each clinic in this tab. All your conversations will appear in the Conversations tab (or Messages if on web).

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Why Spruce Is Required

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Spruce is the only platform used for messaging outside of appointments. Standard email, voicemail, and texting are not secure and will not be used for clinical communication. Using Spruce ensures:

• Secure, HIPAA-compliant messaging

• A clear communication trail

• Timely responses and streamlined care

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What to Use Spruce For

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• Brief questions between appointments (when appropriate)

• Sharing updates relevant to your care

• Receiving instructions, education, and messages from your provider

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Important: Turn Notifications ON

To make sure you don’t miss time-sensitive communication:

• Open the Spruce app

• Go to Settings > Notifications

• Enable push notifications for new messages

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Why It Matters

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As a small practice, Spruce allows us to communicate with you efficiently and securely while reducing administrative delays and saving time. This app helps us focus on your care rather than sorting through missed messages or tracking multiple communication methods.

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If you haven't already, you will receive an invite to download the app and connect to Hilbert’s Whole Health Psychiatry. Or you can click this link to get started (or scan the QR code): https://spruce.care/hilbertswholehealthpsychiatry

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