New Technologies and Platforms

Jennifer Tieman, Flinders UniversityInaugural National Palliative Care Research Colloquium July 2013

Technology Context• More people using technology

– Absolute numbers ↑, proportion of population ↑, participation by specific groups ↑, mobile technology ↑

– But still digital divides• More platforms, technologies, software

– Dynamic environment– Consider gaming: Physical device(s)

used, operating systems, applicationsoftware, networking, and connectivity

– But issues in integration, compatibility• More expectation of telehealth

– Timely access, remote monitoring, telecommunications, patient empowerment, knowledge development,new service models, reducing error, managing demand

Australian Context• National eHealth Strategy 2009

– Commonwealth-State MOU 2012-2014• NHETA

– Clinical documents including PCEHR, – eFoundations including standards, interoperability,

security and access– National infrastructure including health identifiers

and clinical terminology– Implementation activities (eg eHealth rollout sites)

• National Digital Economy Strategy– Health and Ageing Goal

• NBN• MBS Online - Telehealth

PC and Telehealth• Cradle Coast Electronic

Health Information Exchange• Advance Care Directives

and PCEHR• NBN Telehealth Pilots Program

(Aged, Cancer, Palliative Care)• CareSearch, COMPAC modules, PCOC,

Hammondcare Dementia,• NHMRC

– Internet &Telemedicine 2010-2012

Implications

• Significant driver in health system with hopes about demand, supply and delivery benefits

• Telehealth foundations are being built

Telehealth in the Home: Palliative Care, Aged Care and

Clinical Rehabilitation in SA

Funded by the Australian Government under the National Broadband Network (NBN) Enabled Telehealth Pilots Program’

Project Partners:Flinders University

South Australian Local Health Network

Southern GP groups, ACH

Three clinical streams

• Palliative care:Integration of online tools, remote monitoring, information and resources and regular online communication to support home-based patients and their carers.

• Aged: Video conferencing to support clinical care in RACF.

• Rehabilitation in the elderly:Introduction of e-rehab including online tools, information provision and communication to support home-based rehabilitation services for the elderly, including people recovering from stroke or fractures.

Palliative Care Study

• Palliative Care (Telehealth Research Group)– Kate Swetenham (SAPS), Tim To (SAPS), Jennifer

Tieman (CareSearch), David Currow (DPSS), Deidre Morgan (DPSS)

• Structured online face to face: patient-nurse; carer-network facilitator

• Patient online self-assessments: SAS, AKPS, AQoL, FitBit

• Carer online self-assessment: SAPS tool• Virtual case conference

Outcomes of interest

• Telehealth feasibility

• Patient, carer, professional engagement

• Service delivery changes

• Clinical metrics

• Cost elements

Where are we up to?

• Ethics submitted• Protocol

– Clinical algorithms, Patient consent processes, Data collection processes, Analysis requirements,

• IT resources and apps developed (and refined)• Technology architecture mapped• Negotiations, agreements with providers and

with partners• QA test with patient volunteers• Documentation processes underway

Technology: Research Agenda

• PC as a test bed– Across the health system– Community intersect– Cross over into high priority health areas

• Policy implications of telehealth research• Align with clinical needs

– Health at the heart of telehealth• Role of big data

Research Issues• Undertaking research not just projects

– Funding is often project based• Complex interventions

– Appropriate study designs? – Articulating and measuring outcomes?

• Telehealth requires specification of current practice

• Access to the technology• Research teams

– Multidisciplinary (outside of health professionals)– Working knowledge of the technical base needed– Understanding each other

• How to build a starting point?

CareSearch would like to thank the many people

who contribute their time and expertise to the project including

members of the National Advisory Group and the Knowledge

Network Management Group.

CareSearch is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

www.caresearch.com.au