Value Propositions for Digital Shared Medication Plans to Boost Patient-Health Care Professional Partnerships:...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Informatics
• Patient Empowerment

Background:

• Digital technologies aim to improve medication management, but information gaps and inaccuracies persist, especially during care transitions.
• Fragmented healthcare and poor integration of patient-inputted data exacerbate medication management issues.
• Patient-facing digital tools are often not integrated into clinical workflows, limiting their utility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the value propositions of a digital tool for coproducing and co-managing medication plans.
• To assess the integration of this tool within Switzerland's national eHealth architecture.
• To involve patients, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals in developing the tool.

Main Methods:

• An experience-based co-design approach was used in French-speaking Switzerland.
• A multidisciplinary team, including 5 patient co-researchers, conducted qualitative, participatory research.
• Thematic analysis of interviews and co-design workshops identified barriers and enablers for collaborative medication management.

Main Results:

• Four value propositions emerged: comprehensive information access, patient/professional empowerment through co-ownership, enhanced interprofessional collaboration, and improved care quality.
• Participants emphasized tailoring SMPs to individual needs for health equity.
• Integration into clinical routines and supportive conditions were crucial for successful co-management.

Conclusions:

• Coproduced shared medication plans (SMPs) can enhance trust and collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals.
• Successful implementation requires eHealth interoperability and support for diverse use cases.
• Effective SMP use necessitates shared responsibility among all stakeholders, including policymakers and technology providers.