Goals for the Session Characteristics of the Pilot Site Where to Begin Bridging the Communication Gaps Between Patients & Providers Looking to the Future - Lessons Learned

Goals for the Session

·     Getting Started - Identifying Emerging Needs

·      Where to begin - 1st steps

·      Bridging the provider / patient communication gaps

·       Resources, costs and potential roadblocks

·       Lessons learned - future directions

   Back to Top

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PILOT SITE

·    An outpatient teaching hospital that acts as a main entry point for the region.

·       1,053 patients per day come for: clinic appointments,  diagnostic appointments, emergency department visits,  day surgery procedures with a projection that this will increase to 562,663 visits / year by 2003 

·       What is "Ambulatory Care?" - Patients are assessed, diagnosed, treated and then return home rather than staying overnight in a hospital

·       New Needs Emerged from the Transition of the Hospital to an Ambulatory Care Centre: fewer staff, shorter contact time, need for pre-visit preparation, ability to respond to diverse learning styles, timely information, accessibility and cost

·       Communication of Information for patients, families  and providers must be up to date, consistent, easily accessible and understood, responsive to different learning needs.

   Back to Top

 

WHERE TO BEGIN

What is currently working?  

• Existing resources

  • Over 65 patient information brochures were developed, continuously evaluated and in current use.

• Good development process

  • The design team included - content experts, an educator and media expert

  • All materials were piloted with user groups providing feedback

  • Each resource was evaluated and revised as required

  • Process involved ongoing monitoring

• Expertise in technology and instructional design

  • Multi-media was used to respond to various learning needs and user requirements

  • Various formats for delivery were compared

  • A growing shift towards media based formats for learning and self-study  was observed

• Environment that supported innovation.

  • Internet use was growing and there encouragement and support to try new approaches

   Back to Top

 

BRIDGING THE COMMUNICATION GAP BETWEEN PATIENTS, FAMILIES AND PROVIDERS 

Internet technology offers many advantages  :

• Most physicians and providers have access

• Internet use and access is growing in the general population

• Information can be easily updated and accessed

• Consistent information can be widely shared

• Many excellent site already exist

Important Considerations in Designing the Web Site:

For Users: Must be user friendly Quick access to information Information must be easily understood Opportunity for feedback should be included Interaction with the site should stimulate learning

For Providers: Focus on the user needs and any limitations they may have Easy to maintain and update Provide appropriate links to other sites where relevant Educational focus Continuously monitor and evaluate use

Use of an Adult Learning Approach :

Resources were designed with consideration of all learning styles. Click here for diagrams.

Stages in Web Site Development

• Main page - provided general information and easy access to all sections of the site
• Patient Education  Resources formed a major section of the web and were categorized for quick and easy access
• Plans were made to develop on-line interactive programs in several areas of patient education
• Links were included to other relevant sites (eg: support organizations etc.)
• Pilot projects were developed in various formats - internet based, CD-ROMs etc.

   Back to Top

Looking to the Future - Lessons Learned

Reaction of Health Care Educators / Providers

• Cautious
• Concern over curriculum issues and patient compliance
• Growing respect for addressing different learning styles
• Difficulty accepting that patients could learn effectively in new ways

Current Status

• Focus is on the transition to an Ambulatory facility
• Many planned projects are "on hold" 
• Trials are planned for the future with a return to greater stability

Future Trials & Evaluation

• Educators in health units have expressed interest in pilot projects
• Family physicians have shown interest
• Patients and family continually increase their use of the web site and express interest in new resources and online dialogue with health care providers

   Back to Top

Home | Services |  Who We Are | Contact Information | Resources | Related Links

Updated 07/15/08      Copyright JoLyn Enterprises 1997