An Introduction to Consumer Health Informatics and New Methods of Delivering Information to Patients Bruce Madge Professor Alan Gillies

Outline The UK context: drivers and policies National Case Study: NHS Direct Local case study Discussion

Information for Health 5.12 People need information about health and healthcare in many different circumstances The development of new media such as Internet and digital television offer enormous opportunities to widen access by the public to information about health and health services. Through these media an unprecedented range of information, services and facilities will be available. NHS Information Authority, NHS Executive, (1998), Information for Health: An Information Strategy for the Modern NHS

The national UK context: the NHS Plan “The NHS will provide open access to information about services, treatment and performance” (Core principle 10) “ Each week will see millions of hits on the NHS Direct Internet site” (1.9). “Patients will be helped to navigate the maze of health information through the development of NHS Direct Online, digital TV and NHS Direct information points in public places” (10.2) The NHS Plan July 2000

Patient Choice Building on the best: Choice, responsiveness and equity in the NHS - Dec 2004 –Consultation said: All of us – not just some among the affluent middle classes – want the opportunity to share in decisions about our health and health care; We want the right information, at the right time, as well suited to our personal needs as possible; Our health needs are personal, and we would like services to be shaped around our needs.

Patient Choice Building on the best: Choice, responsiveness and equity in the NHS - Dec 2004 Divided into: –Areas for change –Information for All –Quality signposting –personalised information supporting change –A clear way forward –Information for the promotion of health

Introduction  NHS’s main health advice and information website  Launched by the Prime Minister in December 1999  Receives 0.6 million visitors each month  Winner of one of the European Commission’s first ever eHealth awards in 2003 National case study: NHS Direct Online

NHS Direct Online What does it offer? Interactive self-help guide Health encyclopaedia ‘Best Treatments’ information Frequently asked questions Access to nhs.uk’s database of local health services e.g. hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, pharmacists Hot topics on latest health issues Health information enquiry service ‘HealthSpace’ personal health organiser

NHS Direct Online Health information enquiry service Introduced in November 2001 in response to user feedback Responds to health information enquiries only Handles around 3,900 enquiries per month Replies sent within 5 working days, usually 1 or 2 days Over half of users are aged years 64% of enquiries from females Most enquired about topics include gynaecology, dermatology and medicines

NHS Direct Digital TV What is it? An interactive health information service – the largest on digital TV Able to deliver text based information, supported by images and some video content Allows the user to select information on particular health topics of interest to them Not a ‘linear’ TV channel, which can only broadcast programmes on one subject at a time

NHS Direct Digital TV What will it offer? Introduction to NHS Direct Digital TV Health encyclopaedia Advice on looking after yourself NHS services directory – GP’s, dentists, pharmacists etc. Information about using the NHS e.g. how to register with a GP etc Hot topics on current health issues

NHS Direct Self-help guide What is it? Easy to use guide to treating common health problems at home Launched in million copies in circulation New partnership with Thomson Local Directories From April 2004, the guide is being included in the Thomson Local directory By April 2005, the guide will be in 18 million households

Local case study On-line resource Designed to make skills available to patients to find information and knowledge Designed to make skills available to patients to judge the information and knowledge they find Case material based upon earlier work for North Yorkshire Health Informatics Service and ADITUS (NHS North West Library Service)