Investigating factors influencing electronic collection and use of patient-reported measures in older adults’ care

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Authors
Gayanika Hettiarachchi Senarath, Pari Delir Haghighi, David Snowdon, Velandai Srikanth, Denise O'Connor,

Patient Reported Outcome Measures and Patient Reported Experience Measures, collectively referred to as Patient Reported Measures (PRMs), are used to capture patient perceptions of health and care experiences. Using PRMs in routine clinical care of older adults is especially important given this population experiences multi-morbidities and is likely to have complex care needs. Electronic collection and use of PRMs has been advocated as an alterative to traditional paper-based methods to increase uptake of PRMs. However, factors influencing the electronic collection and use of PRMs in older adults’ care is not adequately understood.

The aim of this research was to identify barriers, facilitators and implementation strategies influencing the electronic collection and use of PRMs in older adults’ care, through the application of contemporary implementation science frameworks.

The program of research included a systematic literature review of barriers and facilitators, and qualitative interviews with key healthcare service stakeholders in pre- and post-implementation healthcare settings to identify barriers, facilitators and implementation strategies. A logic model of change informed by the findings of this research is underway.

The program of research has revealed several barriers and facilitators mapped to the NASSS and COM-B frameworks, identifying key targets for change in future implementation efforts. Key barriers included older adults’ conditions and socio-cultural circumstances, poor user interface design and privacy and security fears. Key facilitators included healthcare service capability to protect patient data, leveraging existing software application within the healthcare service and external influence of professional/governing bodies. Enabling support mechanisms and IT infrastructure were key implementation strategies identified.