A web-based communication system for integrated care in cerebral palsy: experienced contribution to parent-professional communication

作者：Gulmans Jitske^*; Vollenbroek Hutten Miriam; van Gemert Pijnen Lisette; van Harten Wim

来源：International Journal of Integrated Care, 2012, 12.

• integrated care
• patient care management
• cerebral palsy
• communication
• technology
• internet

Introduction: To improve communication in the integrated care setting of children with cerebral palsy, we developed a web-based system for parent-professional and inter-professional communication. The present study aimed to evaluate parents%26apos; experiences regarding the system%26apos;s contribution to their communication with professionals during a six-months pilot in three Dutch care regions. In addition, factors associated with parents%26apos; system use and non-use were analyzed. %26lt;br%26gt;Theory and methods: The system%26apos;s functional specifications were based on key elements of the Chronic Care Model and quality dimensions formulated by the Institute of Medicine. At baseline, parents completed a T0-questionnaire on their experiences regarding sufficiency of contact, accessibility of professionals, timeliness of information exchange, consistency of information and parents%26apos; role as messenger of information and/or care coordinator. After the pilot, parents completed a T1-questionnaire on their experiences regarding the system%26apos;s contribution to each of these aspects. %26lt;br%26gt;Results: Of the 30 participating parents 21 had used the system, of which 20 completed the T1-questionnaire. All these parents indicated that they had experienced a contribution of the system to parent-professional communication, especially with respect to accessibility of professionals, sufficiency of contact and timeliness of information exchange, and to a lesser extent consistency of information and parents%26apos; messenger/coordinator role. In comparison with non-users, users had less positive baseline experiences with accessibility and a higher number of professionals in the child%26apos;s care network. %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusions: All users indicated a contribution of the system to parent-professional communication, although the extent of the experienced contribution varied considerably. Based on the differences found between users and non-users, further research might focus on the system%26apos;s value for complex care networks and problematic access to professionals.

• 出版日期2012-3