'No Delays': The Development of Digital Postcards to Enhance Patient Care
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Abstract
Background
The consultation between doctor and patient remains the standard for delivery of healthcare in the NHS. However, many patients report that the ten minute consultation does not allow for enough knowledge and understanding of complex disease entities to be exchanged. Health information given to patients during general practice consultation can be complex and overwhelming leading to negative outcomes such as patient anxiety and dissatisfaction.
General practice consultation is an area in health care research where the internet can serve as a conduit to facilitate improvement in health information exchange between doctor and patient.
Objectives
“No Delays†is an innovative approach to delivering health information to patients involving the presentation of medical information in a variety of electronic formats tailored to the needs of patients. "No Delays" is an approach that seeks to change the relationship between patient, generalist and specialist to facilitate problem solving in real time. This presentation will provide an overview and demonstration of the "No Delays" approach.
Methods
A series of simulated consultations between GPs and patients and between Consultants and patients were used to identify the format and structure of information that could be more easily understood and retained. The key elements were short video pieces on discrete problems, text and diagrams, links to supporting web sites and a variety of formats from formal medical delivery to patients telling their stories. These elements have been combined into an electronic postcard which can be emailed to the patient at the end of a face-to-face consultation and can be watched at home with family or alone, allowing for individualised health information and communication between doctor and patient.
Results/Future Directions
This approach builds on previous work that recorded consultations for playback. The information has been tailored to the local health and care systems with relevant links and feedback loops. “No Delays†has the potential to improve patient understanding and the doctor-patient relationship during and after consultation through the information exchange platform facilitated by the design of this approach.
An initial study is in progress which aims to identify the difference in knowledge retention at 24hrs post consultation between participants offered an electronic postcard and controls exposed to a standard consultation with a GP lasting ten minutes. The concept is also in the process of being tested in several GP practices and evaluation of the project will involve interviews and focus groups with patients, GPs and Consultants to determine the effectiveness of the approach.
The consultation between doctor and patient remains the standard for delivery of healthcare in the NHS. However, many patients report that the ten minute consultation does not allow for enough knowledge and understanding of complex disease entities to be exchanged. Health information given to patients during general practice consultation can be complex and overwhelming leading to negative outcomes such as patient anxiety and dissatisfaction.
General practice consultation is an area in health care research where the internet can serve as a conduit to facilitate improvement in health information exchange between doctor and patient.
Objectives
“No Delays†is an innovative approach to delivering health information to patients involving the presentation of medical information in a variety of electronic formats tailored to the needs of patients. "No Delays" is an approach that seeks to change the relationship between patient, generalist and specialist to facilitate problem solving in real time. This presentation will provide an overview and demonstration of the "No Delays" approach.
Methods
A series of simulated consultations between GPs and patients and between Consultants and patients were used to identify the format and structure of information that could be more easily understood and retained. The key elements were short video pieces on discrete problems, text and diagrams, links to supporting web sites and a variety of formats from formal medical delivery to patients telling their stories. These elements have been combined into an electronic postcard which can be emailed to the patient at the end of a face-to-face consultation and can be watched at home with family or alone, allowing for individualised health information and communication between doctor and patient.
Results/Future Directions
This approach builds on previous work that recorded consultations for playback. The information has been tailored to the local health and care systems with relevant links and feedback loops. “No Delays†has the potential to improve patient understanding and the doctor-patient relationship during and after consultation through the information exchange platform facilitated by the design of this approach.
An initial study is in progress which aims to identify the difference in knowledge retention at 24hrs post consultation between participants offered an electronic postcard and controls exposed to a standard consultation with a GP lasting ten minutes. The concept is also in the process of being tested in several GP practices and evaluation of the project will involve interviews and focus groups with patients, GPs and Consultants to determine the effectiveness of the approach.
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