Dr Niesing's prescription for better health - Start using Personal Health Pathways!

"Personal Health Pathways is an excellent tool for preventative healthcare - and the rich rewards that Scheme members earn for engaging are a great incentive to take part too," says Dr Engela Niesing - a Gauteng-based GP and mother of two.

Dr Niesing and her husband, both Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) members, are big fans of Personal Health Pathways, and have, since the platform launched in January 2025, proudly completed most of their recommended next-best-actions.

"The best part is that as a result of completing the steps recommended to us, we've built up a lot of savings in our Personal Health Fund - just by completing small, easy-to-do health actions by the set date and achieving our weekly exercise goals."

"I see Personal Health Pathways as incredibly valuable for staying ahead of potential health issues," she explains. "It guides you as to the right preventative and proactive steps to take for better health - whether that means doing a health check, making lifestyle changes, or having diagnostic tests done. Preventing disease is the goal, and where there are health issues to deal with, early detection is critical for a chance at better outcomes."

What is Personal Health Pathways?

Personal Health Pathways , available to adult DHMS members for free on the Discovery Health app, offers personalised, real-time health recommendations - called next-best-actions - based on each member's unique profile. As a member's health journey evolves, so does their pathway, continuously updating based on the member's specific health status, risk profile, and engagement patterns, dynamically adjusting as new health data become available.

Personal Health Pathways harnesses artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and behavioural science. The platform uses more than 50 million life years of health claims and clinical data, along with nearly 30 million life years of exercise and lifestyle data gathered through Vitality in South Africa, to recommend actions with the greatest potential to improve health outcomes.

Each Personal Health Pathways cycle provides up to two clinical actions and one weekly exercise goal, which must be completed by a set date. Members can earn up to R500 into a new Personal Health Fund for each completed action, up to a maximum of R10,000. The funds that are accumulated in the Personal Health Fund can be used for day-to-day medical expenses, including GP and specialist consultations, medicine, radiology, and pathology. Those Scheme members who are also Vitality clients, earn personalised rewards through Personal Health Pathways in addition to their Vitality rewards. Additional rewards for all members include shopping vouchers, Discovery Miles, and instant rewards.

Dr Niesing says: "The financial incentive that comes with Personal Health Pathways is a huge motivator. It's a brilliant way to offset healthcare costs, freeing up budget for other things. This makes health management feel both purposeful and rewarding."

Shifting from reactive to proactive care

Dr Niesing doesn't just use Personal Health Pathways herself - she actively encourages her patients to use it too.

"What makes Personal Health Pathways especially powerful is that it's aligned with clinical best practice. Doctors can use the insights available through each patient's unique Personal Health Pathway to guide patient conversations, prioritise the right screening or next steps, and monitor progress in a systematic way."

"It's a collaborative model where both the doctor and the patient are equipped with personalised data to make better health decisions."

Personal Health Pathways tailors its guidance based on a member's age, sex, and health status. For example, it may prompt screenings such as mammograms, prostate exams, cervical cancer checks, or general health checks - all based on individual risk profiles.

"It's empowering. Many patients don't realise they need certain screenings at specific ages. Personal Health Pathways helps ensure they're informed and reminded at the right time."

"For me, this is a shift from reactive to proactive care," says Dr Niesing. "When patients complete these recommended screenings and we detect an issue like early-stage cancer or the onset of a chronic condition, we're able to intervene before symptoms even begin. Personal Health Pathways also integrates weekly exercise goals which is key to maintaining good health."

Seamless integration in consultations

Dr Niesing has integrated Personal Health Pathways into her patient consultations with ease.

"I already used Discovery's Health ID - an electronic health record for patients - so it's just a few extra clicks to check whether a patient has activated their Personal Health Pathway. If they haven't, I help them download the Discovery Health app and activate their Personal Health Pathway while with me. For those who already have it, I make sure they understand how to follow their next best actions."

Through Discovery Health ID, Dr Niesing can see which actions are recommended and how patients are responding - making it easier to guide the next steps.

"Say a female patient over 40 hasn't gone for a mammogram, I'll endorse that as her next-best-action. It's simple but powerful."

A health tool for a modern world

"In today's fast-paced world, having such important health information right on your smartphone is amazing," says Dr Niesing. "Information that is clinically backed, precise, and personalised is incredibly valuable. Each patient can be assured that their pathway is completely tailored to their unique health profile. This equips patients with personalised data that supports better decision-making and improves health outcomes."

"Personal Health Pathways keeps me and my patients engaged, informed and motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It's a holistic, smart approach that benefits both individuals and the healthcare system as a whole."