Even the most motivated patients do not always know how to better their health. The journey through personal health can be one wrought with anxiety and intimidation. The messaging is not always clear, and the direction provided by clinicians is not always easily understood.
So, in a healthcare industry that is welcoming patients into the care model, how do we ensure patient comprehension and motivation during shared decision making? At this year’s Connected Health Symposium in Boston I attended a panel entitled “You’re Talking to Me? Ensuring Patient Comprehension and Motivation” moderated by Talya Miron-Shatz. The panel communicated that the data and technology exist to create concise messages that are culturally appropriate and motivating for patients. Many methods have been used, some more successfully than others. For example, research has shown that text messaging is a difficult way to convey health messages as it is hard for those with limited health literacy to understand. However, video can be used very effectively as a shared decision making tool. The downside is the high development costs and the difficulty in personalizing video content. So, what tool can be used to ensure shared decision making?
Fortunately and unfortunately, this discussion took a venture into infomercial when Telesofia technology was presented. I found it interesting enough to share. Telesofia uses technology to create low cost personalized health information videos that integrate patient specific information and health organization branding. Telesofia appears to have a very good feedback loop that continually optimizes these health information videos. For example, they had been using 3D images of medication, but patients apparently had more difficulty identifying the 3D images when compared to better recognition they had for 2D images of the same medication. The images were switched out easily. Telesofia also offers engagement metrics so that a health organization can monitor if the patient watched the video. The exact point at which the patient’s attention was lost can be easily identified. Over time, Telesofia has been able to identify times when most patients lose interest, such as when they need to read a long list of side effects. As a result, these videos are being constantly redefined and changed automatically at low cost.
Towards the end of the discussion, the panel addressed some of the myths regarding shared decision making. These include:
- Shared decision making is too academic: Research has shown that shared decision making is not just for college professionals. Shared decision making has proven helpful to both the elderly and the less educated, and patient ratings of shared decision making are positive across age, education, and gender.
- Patients do want to be engaged: Research has shown that only 5% of patients want their physician to make treatment decisions without their input. That makes an overwhelming 95% of patients that want to be engaged in their care model.
- Informed and involved patients are expensive: There is a myth that patients that are more engaged will pick most costly healthcare options. Research actually shows that engaged patients generally go towards more conservative treatment options.
After explaining these myths, and the evidence to the contrary, the panel passionately declared that the ultimate reason to have share decision making tools is simply because it is the right thing to do.
