Facilitating patient self-management through telephony and web technologies in seasonal influenza

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this project was to develop and test information technology implementations that could assist patients with influenza self-management in primary care settings. Although testing was conducted in the context of seasonal influenza, the project aimed to develop a blueprint that primary care practices could use in an influenza pandemic. Methods Four primary care practice-based research networks (PBRNs) systematically designed, implemented, tailored and tested a tiered patient selfmanagement technology model in 12 primary care practices during the peak of the 2007 to 2008 influenza season. Participating clinicians received a customised practice website that included a bilingual influenza self-triage module, a downloadable influenza toolkit and electronic messaging capability. As an alternative option, a bilingual, interactive seasonal influenza telephone hotline that patients could call for assistance was provided. Results Influenza self-management web pages presented via nine customised practice websites received 1060 hits between February and April of 2008. The Self-management Influenza Toolkit was downloaded 76 times and 185 Influenza Self-Triage Module sessions

Digital and online symptom checkers and assessment services for urgent care to inform a new digital platform: a systematic review

“…Five of these studies were investigating symptom checkers as a self-contained intervention. 18,20,21,23,25 Four of these studies were evaluating symptom checkers as part of a broader e-consultation system. 7,31,32,34 One study was examining the attitudes of the public to online self-diagnosis within the context of urgent care.…”

“…Two of the studies investigating patient satisfaction considered self-triage tools for influenza. 20,23 One of the studies was investigating the use of SORT for Kids 23 and the other considered satisfaction with a practice website or telephone hotline designed to support self-management. 20 In total, 90% of parents using SORT for Kids found the website 'very easy' to understand and 91.4% of parents found it 'very easy' to use.…”

“…20,23 One of the studies was investigating the use of SORT for Kids 23 and the other considered satisfaction with a practice website or telephone hotline designed to support self-management. 20 In total, 90% of parents using SORT for Kids found the website 'very easy' to understand and 91.4% of parents found it 'very easy' to use. 23 Qualitative feedback on patients' satisfaction with a practice website or telephone hotline to support self-management of influenza demonstrated a high level of overall satisfaction.…”

“…23 Qualitative feedback on patients' satisfaction with a practice website or telephone hotline to support self-management of influenza demonstrated a high level of overall satisfaction. 20 Additionally, findings indicated the ease of use, problem-free access and navigation, and the useful and adequate information that was used in a variety of ways by patients.…”

“…Seven of these studies were evaluating symptom checkers as a self-contained intervention. 13,17,[19][20][21][22][23] Five of these studies were evaluating an e-consultation system that included a symptom checker 7,[31][32][33][34] and two of these studies were investigating public attitudes towards symptom checkers. 35,37 One study 17 reported that patients who were classified as less socioeconomically deprived were more likely to agree to use Internet Doctor than decline participation, although no relationship was found between socioeconomic deprivation and results in this study or between e-consultation use and socioeconomic deprivation in another study.…”