Incorporating Patients Meaningfully
RWJF's Project HealthDesign Provides Input on Incorporation of Patient-Generated Data into Stage 3 Meaningful Use CriteriaPatient-generated data should be integrated into electronic health records to better inform clinical treatment and decision-making, according to Patricia Flatley Brennan, PhD, RN, national program director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Pioneer Portfolio’s Project HealthDesign.
—data from patients such as sleep habits, pain levels, diet, and exercise patterns—have been shown to provide meaningful clinical insights, based on the experiences of Project HealthDesign grantees who have worked with hundreds of patients and providers to collect and track patient-generated data. Drawing on these experiences, Brennan highlighted key forward-looking observations in the integration of patient-generated data:
- ‘Traditional’ provider-recommended activities that patients perform and monitor, such as blood sugar and blood pressure checks, should be considered for clinical integration.
- Existing technologies are adequate but not optimal for the clinical integration of patient data. Additionally, a safe storage solution for these data is needed.
- Technologies and tools that capture patient-generated data could be important components of new health care business models, such as accountable care organizations and patient-centered medical homes, as they place more emphasis on patient case and self-management.
