Job Title
Research Project Coordinator
Academic Rank
Grad student
Department
Medicine
Authors
Christian J. Tejeda, BS, Hongyi Wu, BS, Allison B McCoy, PhD, MS, Lipika Samal, MD, MPH, Patricia C. Dykes, PhD, MA, RN
Principal Investigator
Lipika Samal
Categories
Tags
Hospital discharge for patients with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) is challenging for hospital and primary care teams and patients who face difficulties with complex medication regimens, non-adherence post-discharge, and poor communication among care team members. These risks are especially important for people living with MCC, such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. Research supports the use of mobile apps for chronic disease patients, but there are none for MCC patients experiencing care transitions. This was a qualitative research study designed to utilize stakeholder interviews with providers and patient advisors to record key requirements for our Care Transitions App. Our research team developed an initial set of wireframes and two interview guides. The first author reviewed interview transcripts to identify key themes and developed an inductive set of codes. The transcripts were analyzed using Atlas.ti 9.1.3. We interviewed 23 providers and patient advisors and successfully identified 10 key themes: medication management, personal support network, health education, systematic communication, patients’ understanding of their chronic conditions, access barriers, motivational tools, disease management support, patient assessment, and self-management barriers. Our study contributes to the literature by identifying user needs for successful navigation of the care transition period by patients with MCC.
Hospital discharge for patients with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) is challenging for hospital and primary care teams and patients. Difficulties for this population include complex medication plans, non-adherence post-discharge, and poor communication among care team members. These risks are especially important for people living with MCC, such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. Research supports the use of mobile apps for chronic disease patients, but there are no apps for MCC patients experiencing care transitions. This was a study designed to interview providers and patient advisors to record key themes for our Care Transitions App. Our research team developed an app prototype and two interview guides. The first author reviewed the interview transcripts to identify key themes. We interviewed 23 participants, 12 providers and 11 patient advisors, and successfully identified 10 key themes: medication management, personal support network, personalized health education, systematic communication, patients’ understanding of their chronic conditions, access barriers, motivational tools, disease management support, patient assessment, and self-management barriers. Our study contributes to medicine and research by identifying the needs of patients with MCC for navigating the care transition period.