Tromso Telemedicine and eHealth ConferenceJune 2007 Care in the Home: What the Elderly Expect David Garwood, Secretary Patient and Citizen Task Force

Tromso Telemedicine and eHealth Conference, June 2007 March EHTEL: Patient and Citizen Taskforce  Formed in August 2001  Established to represent the views of patients and consumers of healthcare  A Unique Group:  Patients  Patient Representatives  Information and Communication Specialists  Able to bring both a technical and a patient view to the subject

Tromso Telemedicine and eHealth Conference, June 2007 March Our Objectives  To identify fundamental issues of importance to the patient in the world of Ehealth  To ensure that the voice of the patient is: recognised valued understood and acted upon

Tromso Telemedicine and eHealth Conference, June 2007 March Our Work to Date  Patients Charter Published in 2003  Position Papers:  eHealth and Homecare  Electronic Health Record  Patient Safety  Electronic Prescribing

Tromso Telemedicine and eHealth Conference, June 2007 March My Aim for Today To present the patient perspective on the benefits, use and implementation of this rich eHealth technology in the home. To raise some issues that need to be considered when considering its use in the home, particularly for the elderly.

Tromso Telemedicine and eHealth Conference, June 2007 March eHealth Stakeholders Stakeholders: Governments Health Authorities Insurance Agencies Clinicians IT Providers Patients Political Requirements Efficiency Professional Concerns Profit Health, Safety, Dignity, Respect

Tromso Telemedicine and eHealth Conference, June 2007 March Patient Health Improved quality of life Reinforcement of care and treatment Convenient access to health related services including specialist consultation Assists in self management of conditions Increases confidence through daily monitoring of key readings Support for carers

Tromso Telemedicine and eHealth Conference, June 2007 March Patient Safety Patients need appropriate education and training in the use of the technology Homecare technology needs to be easy to use and designed with the elderly patient in mind Equipment installed in the home should be the subject of rigorous testing and be accredited Installation needs to be carried out to the highest possible safety standards Any risks (and benefits) associated with the use of the technology should be made clear to the patient

Tromso Telemedicine and eHealth Conference, June 2007 March Patient Dignity The privacy of the patient is extremely important The patient should be in control of the technology and be able to switch it off when required Patient confidentiality is paramount requiring: Strong access controls particularly if the technology is used by other members of the household Secure telecommunication networks Audit trails/logbooks

Tromso Telemedicine and eHealth Conference, June 2007 March Respect for the Patient Patients should have the right to refuse the technology with no repercussions regarding the level or quality of treatment they receive The need for direct human contact needs to be considered very carefully, particularly with elderly patients Socio-economic considerations need to be taken into account including the potential for others within the household to take over control from the elderly patient Engineers and technicians need to be educated in the need for respect when installing and maintaining equipment in a patient’s home.

Tromso Telemedicine and eHealth Conference, June 2007 March In Conclusion eHealth in the home is a potent, powerful and rich technology that offers significant benefits for many stakeholders We need to be sure, however, that when embracing this technology the elderly patient is not simply seen as another component in the “system” Individual patient needs and views regarding homecare and their health, safety, dignity, respect and fears must be listened to. With some limited exceptions, others cannot make assumptions in this personal and sensitive area.

Tromso Telemedicine and eHealth Conference, June 2007 March In Conclusion Our Position Paper on Homecare (together with those on Patient Safety, the Electronic Health Record and the Patients Charter can be found at: Thank You……………..