None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The primary purpose of this trial is to assess the feasibility of using an innovative web-based platform to unite patients, Specialist Nurses, General Practitioners (GPs) and Specialists and to improve multidisciplinary care for patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. Who is it for? You may be eligible for this study if you are aged between 18 and 85 years, have chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and have recently commenced therapy or are currently receiving ongoing monitoring and/or therapy. You will also need to have access to internet to take part in this study. Study details All participants involved in this study will be enrolled into our electronic platform called HealthELink. Enrolment on to this platform will be in addition to your standard of care treatment for your condition. At the time of recruitment you will be trained by a qualified investigator to use HealthELink. Through this portal, you will be able to engage with your care team electronically. You will be able to send and receive messages about your health to and from your care team in real time. This includes your Specialist Nurse, Specialist and GP. This will enable you to be up to date with your necessary tests and appointments, as well as your medical information, including diagnoses and medications. Your usual care will continue, however, should you need to talk to a doctor, or a problem arises between appointments, you will be able to communicate with your Specialist care team and GP directly. Likewise, should you be well (including a lack of symptoms and normal blood results), you may forgo a scheduled face-to-face appointment provided you and your care team agree. Hopefully, through effective electronic communication we can avoid unnecessary hospital appointments. You will also be asked to provide feedback on HealthELink and how it has impacted on your care. We hope that the HealthElink platform will be able to improve the management of your care by enabling you to have electronic access to your health care team between appointments. Without compromising your care or Specialist supervision, we hope this will enable fewer unnecessary Outpatient Department appointments, hospital admissions and emergency presentations. Every element of your care will be recorded, thus providing quality control for the care delivered.
Interventions
HealthELink is an online platform designed to facilitate effective and secure communication between patients and members of their care team (Nurses, Specialists and General Practitioners [GPs]).
The components of the eHealth model of care (intervention via a web-based portal) include:
- Clinical Decision Support System with automated calculation of hepatitis C treatment plan from Australian consensus guidelines. This includes integrated medication interaction assessment via the University of L
HealthELink is an online platform designed to facilitate effective and secure communication between patients and members of their care team (Nurses, Specialists and General Practitioners [GPs]). The components of the eHealth model of care (intervention via a web-based portal) include: - Clinical Decision Support System with automated calculation of hepatitis C treatment plan from Australian consensus guidelines. This includes integrated medication interaction assessment via the University of Liverpool database, automatic calculation and interpretation of fibrosis markers and complete hepatitis C treatment plan. - Secure electronic messaging between GP/Specialist/Nurse, with the option of specialist review and electronic approval of treatment plans, and/or remote followup of treatment progress. - Shared GP/specialist/nurse/patient treatment plan, with any provider able to mark of treatment tasks as complete. - Electronic patient portal with treatment plan and ability to message the treating team. This study aims to test HealthELink as a new model of care in the management of patients with chronic hepatitis C compared to the current standard of community treatment via the paper-based remote consultation form. Arm 1: Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) – Clinicians treating CHC in the community will be invited to participate in the study, by using the eHealth model for treating CHC. Patients commencing direct antiviral therapy (DAA) via community medical/nurse practitioners as part of standard of care and meeting selection criteria will included in the study unless decision made to opt-out. Patients enrolled into Arm 1 will be offered the option to access their electronic patient portal at enrolment, in addition to their standard of care therapy. Patients will be able to access HealthELink and communicate with their medical care team at any time and at any location with access to the internet, for the duration of the trial (6 months). Arm 2: Prisoners with CHC – Prison medical officers and nurses will be invited to participate in the study, using the eHealth model of care to treat prisoners in consultation with a tertiary specialist team. Prisoners commencing DAA therapy will be entered into HealthELink by their treating Prison Doctor, unless an opt-out decision is made. There will be no direct interaction between prisoners and HealthELink. This arm aims to test the effectiveness of HealthELink as a means of communication and data tracking between PMOs and Specialists.
Sponsors
Royal Adelaide Hospital
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
PATIENTS: Aged 18-85 years old Those with the ability to consent Patients with CHC that requires ongoing follow-up by a Specialist Those with access to internet Patients with the ability to converse adequately in spoken and written English. CHC patients commencing therapy or currently receiving ongoing monitoring and/or therapy PRISONERS: Current incarceration CHC patients commencing therapy or currently receiving ongoing monitoring and/or therapy GENERAL PRACTITIONERS OR COMMUNITY NURSES: Correctional medical officers engaged in management of Viral Hepatitis with Hepatologists OR General practitioners who currently co-manage complex Specialist patients OR Nurses working in outreach/nurse-led community hepatitis C Special interest in HCV or liver patients S100 prescribers
Exclusion criteria
Patient or their GP with limited or no access to internet Unable to converse through typing, either due to language barrier or physical disability
Outcome results
None listed