Information and Communication Technology Research Initiative Supporting the self management of obesity: The role of ICTs University of Brighton. Lead researcher: Professor Flis Henwood Overall aim: ‘to examine the potential for increased, innovative and effective uses ’ of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the self management of obesity in one locality’ Methods, stages, outputs: Objectives map ‘information landscapes’ of those involved in the self management of obesity from provider and user viewpoints identify opportunities and challenges posed by ICTs in the self management of obesity identify specific IT, information and health literacy skills and needs of those seeking to make use of ICTs in this context design and run a series of workshops to address skills needs identify ways to better organise local health information to support obesity self management evaluate impact of participation in workshops in terms of its ability to lead to increased, innovative and effective uses of ICTs to support the self management of obesity in one locality Information and self care Information and support central to self care agenda: expert patient programme patient trainers initiative Little research into: how ‘user engagement’ in self care is secured and sustained role of ICTs in supporting such engagement Support and Assessment for Fall Emergencies (SAFE) Trial University of Swansea. Lead Researcher: Professor Helen Snooks An evaluation of the costs and benefits of computerised on-scene decision support for emergency ambulance personnel to assess and plan appropriate care for older people who have fallen Background Falls in older people account for a 8% of London 999 calls Older people who fall have a high risk of: Falling again, Injury, Disability, Loss of independence, Death Falls intervention from A&E has been effective; can a similar intervention triggered by on-scene paramedics work? Aim: To assess costs and benefits of hand-held CDS technology for on-scene assessment and care of older people who fall and call 999 Objectives: To compare intervention and control group patients at one and six months: number of further falls where a 999 call is made number of A&E attendances and hospital admissions quality of life, independence and satisfaction of patients/carers operational ‘process’ indicators: on-scene times, job cycle times impact on resource utilisation within the NHS and costs to patients and their families Research Methods Cluster RCT Comparison of processes and outcomes of care Qualitative follow-up of older people who have fallen focus groups with crews before and after implementation interviews to capture views re implementation issues Integrating telecare systems for chronic disease management in the community Newcastle University. Lead researcher: Professor Carl May Key questions: How do different constituencies understand integration of telecare within and across sectors? What principles should drive interactions between health agencies, social care, private sector and users? How can expertise and experience be shared and valued? Method Group-work and interviews to build sets of principles: Service users Primary care professionals Private sector services and suppliers Social care professionals Principles? Why are there problems integrating telecare systems with other services? What do constituencies need to understand about each other? How can mechanisms be developed to enable different constituencies to hear each other? Policy relevance Much is already known – no need for masses of new data Move beyond local demonstration projects and ‘white paper demonstrator’ Services requires users’ knowledge about everyday integration processes Need to find ways to engage and co-ordinate users’ knowledge and practice The Policy Research Programme, Department of Health commissioned six projects to provide more evidence on the role of ICT in healthcare, the effects on quality of care and ultimately the quality of life of patients using ICT solutions for their health needs