INNOVATIONS IN CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT
Background: Chronic diseases are the leading cause of mortality and disability in the United States. Current solutions focus primarily on diagnosis and pharmacological treatment, yet there is increasing evidence that person-centered models of care that target behavioral health are more successful in improving and addressing chronic illnesses. Mobile technology allows care to move from traditional clinic and hospital-based care to where individuals are in their daily lives. If this technology is harnessed to allow bi-directional, timely communication of data and tailored feedback, it has the potential to change an individual’s health behavior and prevent or mitigate the factors that lead to disease. Given that 96% of the United States population is currently living in areas where mobile networks exist, the potential to reach underserved populations and reduce health care disparities is another great promise of mHealth technologies. With 91% of adults in the United States reporting they own a mobile phone and 63% of adult cell phone owners reporting use of their phone to access the internet, it appears the barriers to mHealth technology access are being quickly overcome and will assume a larger role in future health care.
Presentation: This symposium will feature a brief overview of mobile health technologies and the potential of new care delivery models to reach people who would not otherwise receive specialized chronic disease management programs or tools. The first will describe results of a qualitative exploration of who is likely to engage with technology and how through knowledge of the barriers and drivers to engagement, we can design programs to maximize participation. The second describes how a platform that is able to collect sensor-driven patient generated data can inform and enhance a nurse health coaching intervention. The third describes the development of a HIPPA-compliant platform to deliver nurse-led care coordination during chemotherapy treatment. The fourth presentation describes a rural community-wide care coordination model that includes personal health network technology and social networking capabilities to enable self-management. The final presentation demonstrates how a personal health network for cancer care coordination can engage all the major stakeholders and increase opportunities for accessible cancer care.
Conclusion: Innovative mobile technologies have the potential to reach individuals with personalized, targeted education, action plans or feedback wherever they may be. Designing programs that are person centered and responsive to patient priorities can optimize care and outcomes.