The Implementation of VisionTree Healthcare as a Patient Navigation Tool with Female Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Pa

1. The Implementation of VisionTree Healthcare as a Patient Navigation Tool with Female Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Patientsat MPH Project Defense May 10, 2007 Jill R. Hammond

2. Problem Statement • People are rapidly thrown into a turmoil of shock and anxiety upon the discovery of a terminal illness, • Bewildered about treatment options • Frightened by the possibility of death • Healthcare providers can fail in providing compassionate care to patients due to: • Time constraints, • Inappropriate communication skills, • Complicated medical processes and, • Increased healthcare costs

3. Patient Navigators • Patient Navigators were created in an effort to help and support patients and their families beyond immediate medical care and act as a vital link between the medical team and the patient. • Prepare patients for treatment visits with information on current care guidelines and protocols • Educate patients about their disease, and • Afford them with the opportunity to make informed decisions about their care and treatment

4. Background • Many patients conduct health information searches using the Internet, media, written materials and other information sources. • Arecent literature review indicates that newly diagnosed patients with cancer want more information about various aspects of their disease.

5. Project Objective • The Holy Cross Hospital (HCH) Women’s Cancer program aims to use VisionTree Healthcare as an additional navigation service tool to help educate patients about treatment options and improve overall patient satisfaction

6. Purpose of the Project • To implement the VisionTree Healthcare as a patient education tool for breast and gynecologic cancer patients at the Holy Cross Hospital (HCH).

7. VisionTree Healthcare • VisionTree is a leader in web-based, patient-centric data collection and health management solutions.

8. VisionTree Healthcare • Patient/Provider/Payer Portals • Email Notification & Messaging • Dynamic Transcription • Outcomes Reporting

9. Methods • Phase I-Patient Education • Develop educational materials for tool using secondary sources • National Cancer Institute (NCI) • National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) • American Cancer Society (ACS) • Phase II-Patient Satisfaction • Develop survey for our specific population and care services • Pilot testing • Determine feasibility of using VisionTree Healthcare tool at HCH • Process evaluation • Obtain feedback from patients/health care providers utilizing the tool at HCH

10. Phase I-Patient Education • Developed educational content • Cultural Appropriateness • Selected content from websites • (NCI, NCCN, ACS) • Created Patient Education documents • Content Analysis • Selected final documents • 95 documents • Uploaded documents into VisionTree Healthcare tool

11. Phase II-Patient Satisfaction Survey • Assessed patient’s satisfaction with care from healthcare providers • Assessed feasibility of using the web-based tool for patient education. • 21-items • Care from Healthcare providers • VisionTree Healthcare Tool • Demographics

12. Pilot Testing • Recruited 22 participants • Medical visits & support groups (patients/employees) • Signed informed consent • Healthcare Provider • Login & select educational information for patients • Participants • Login & review educational information • Complete survey

13. VisionTree Healthcare DEMO • www.myvisiontree.com

14. Results • Care from Healthcare Providers • Majority satisfied with both Healthcare Provider and Navigation services • VisionTree Healthcare Tool • Overwhelming response in support of the tool • Useful in providing patient education • Continue using tool especially additional tool features

15. Results • Mitigated confusion experienced while searching for cancer information • Empowered participants, by allowing them to actively participate in their care through learning about their disease, treatment options, support, etc.

16. Limitations • Small, convenience sample (N=22) • Two facilities (HCH & MRCC) • Participant types (only outpatients & support group members included)

17. Recommendations • Use VisionTree Healthcare tool in addition to hard-copy publications • Encourage patients to use tool during every visit • Employ the use of the tool at MRCC center • Use additional features of tool, calendar, messaging, etc. with patients • Expand patient education information with additional cancer types, prostate, bladder, etc.

18. Implications • May improve information sharing and communication among patients and healthcare providers. • May improve health outcomes • May reduce costs (i.e. storage of educational material)

19. MPH Competencies • Public Health Informatics and Communication course (HLTH 670) • Determine relevance of various computerized health information resources. • Evaluate the worth and applicability of resource materials for given audiences. • Program Planning and Evaluation (HLTH 775) • Employ or develop appropriate data-gathering instruments • Apply survey techniques to acquire health data • Develop reliable and valid instruments

20. Lessons Learned • Patient Navigation Program • Product Development (VisionTree) • Collaborate with other health care professionals

21. Acknowledgements • MPH Project Examining Committee • Min Qi Wang, PhD (Advisor) • Robert Feldman, PhD • Holy Cross Hospital Staff • Donna Appel, BSN, RN, OCN (Nurse Navigator) • Maryland Regional Cancer Care Center

22. THANK YOU!QUESTIONS/COMMENTS??