Presenters
- Jennifer Hodgson, PhD, LMFT, Professor, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- Thompson Forbes, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- Melissa Welch, MA, Medical Family Therapy Fellow, East Carolina University, Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, NC
- Emily Tucker, MS, Doctoral Student, Medical Family Therapy Doctoral Program, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- Joseph Pye, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs, Regional and Associate Chief Medical Officer, Vidant Health, NC
Summary
This presentation directly addresses the conference theme regarding the needs of patients with complex care needs. It defines and describes a way to engage family members/support persons through the electronic medical record (EMR). The intention of this engagement strategy is to assist with meeting treatment plan goals, reduce medical and human communication error, and increase collaboration between patients, support persons/family members, and their healthcare team. To date, studies done have looked solely at patterns of utilization related to health outcomes of patients (e.g., Burke, Rossi, Wilner, et al., 2010; Goldzweig, Orshansky, Paige et al., 2013). Additionally, little to no research has been done including family/support persons and/or use of the proxy function in EMRs for improving patient engagement, family engagement, and comprehensive health outcomes. Findings from two qualitative studies conducted by the presenters address how use of the EMR patient portal system may improve the flow of communication between the treatment provider, patient, and patients’ support system. Improved communication between patients, family members/support persons, and members of the healthcare teams may help to reduce hospital readmission rates. Over 20 participants representing patients, families, and providers contributed to these studies. Findings include themes that help understand high readmission rates for patients in DKA and strategies for increasing knowledge among family members/support persons to help improve patient health outcomes. Attendees who may benefit from this presentation include administrators and providers who utilize an EMR system. Attendees will learn how to: (a) create the infrastructure for piloting a similar EMR project in their settings, (b) expand inclusion of family members/support persons through the patient portals available in their EMR systems, and (c) track outcomes of its impact.
Objectives
- Create the infrastructure for piloting a similar EMR project in their settings.
- Expand inclusion of family members/support persons through their EMR patient portal systems.
- Identify ways to track health outcomes through using the EMR portal as a method of engaging family members/support persons in their care.
