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Using technology to improve management of health Stephen Johnson Deputy Director Head of Long Term Conditions. Technology in health care?. What is the difference between a stethoscope and telehealth? Both transmit data from one person to another
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Using technology to improve management of health Stephen Johnson Deputy Director Head of Long Term Conditions
Technology in health care? • What is the difference between a stethoscope and telehealth? • Both transmit data from one person to another • So technology has been with us for many years
Can we really trust technology? • Why not? We use it in every day life and find it helpful • Translate that to health care and ask if the technology improves decision making • Does it work?
Freedom to choose will be the norm • Today’s teens/twenty somethings will be tomorrow’s decision makers and healthcare users – they are growing up with technology • So – people will want to live their lives as they want, with fewer hospital visits, not tied to clinics of bricks and mortar and will see technology as common place
Nothing new under the sun • MRI scanners invented in the 1970s (Raymond Damadian) • Early commercial scanners developed in the 1980s • Widespread use in the 1990s • 21st century - now common place (i.e. it took years to get adoption and common use) BUT - We don’t have years for TH and TC
Whole System Demonstrator • Telehealth and telecare to support long term conditions • WSD is the largest randomised control trial of TH/TC in the world • DH funded and managed but delivered in three different locations • Over 6,000 people recruited and 238 GP practices involved
Purpose of WSD programme • long term well-being and independence • individuals and their carer’s quality of life • the working lives of staff • cost effectiveness • clinical effectiveness • provide an evidence base
Experience to date • Early results very promising • Keep focused on the end goal • Technology only one element of success – 10% of effort • Formalise shared learning – provide mechanisms for it • Communications, listening and consistency key • Stakeholders need continued support • What you do on a small scale does not always mean it will translate to a large scale The key to success is service change not just buy technology
Quotes from WSD Participants “Living on my own it’s nice to know I can call for help if I feel ill during the night or fall.” “The alarm system allows me a lot more freedom and peace of mind.” “It means that I don’t have to go into a care home which I don’t want to do. I want to stay in my own home as long as possible.”
I feel much more confident knowing that someone is keeping an eye on my health every day. I think it’s great.” • “Since I started using Telehealth I’ve been able to manage my condition better.” • “It changes the whole concept of my life. I can get on with my daily activities... and am totally independent.” • “