ONC funds research on approaches to capturing and using data directly from patients. The following is an example.
A research project conducted by Geisinger Health System, an integrated delivery system, looked at the interaction between patients and their providers and pharmacists when medication lists were made available through a patient portal. Prior to an upcoming appointment, patients were able to review their medication lists and submit changes if the content was inaccurate as well as ask questions about their medications. A pharmacist, who subsequently followed up with the patient either by phone or secure messaging, reviewed the information, revised the medication record, and informed the patient’s provider. The revision was also documented in the EHR along with its source.
The study revealed patients were interested in being involved in the monitoring of medication data and they saw value in this knowledge during office visits with their provider. Revisions to the medication data suggested by the patients were found to be worthwhile to the point that in 80 percent of the cases, pharmacists made the patient-suggested changes. A benefit to providers was significant time savings in medication reconciliation (Deering 2013).
Deering, M.J. 2013. Issue Brief: Patient-Generated Health Data and Health IT. http://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/pghd_brief_final122013.pdf.
1.Why is the patient portal a good tool for patient engagement.
- How did the sharing of medication lists among patients and their providers and pharmacists create an opportunity to improve patient safety?
- Are you surprised by the research that show that patients wanted to be involved with monitoring their medication? Why or why not?