A report by the Health Services Safety Investigation Body raises concerns about the impact of online consultation tools on patient safety. The report says, although there is evidence these tools have benefits, there is also evidence they contribute to some patient safety incidents. Key findings include:
Read the full report via the Health Services Safety Investigations Body website here.
The ALLIANCE has published a new report into improving engagement with communities on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. The report is based on engagement with groups at increased risk due to genetic, socioeconomic, lifestyle and other systemic factors, including South Asian communities, women and people living with socioeconomic deprivation. Engagement work also sought to address specific challenges faced by digitally excluded people. It highlighted that people’s preferences for accessing health information are shifting away from traditional text-based websites, towards shorter, video-based and culturally relevant content on a greater range of digital and social media platforms.
Read the full report findings via the ALLIANCE website here.
A narrative review examines how concepts of culture and context feature in the design and development of digital health interventions. The aim is to help researchers make informed decisions about how to approach cultural adaptation in digital health. Researchers concluded cultural adaptation should link culture with other contextual factors such as economic conditions and social systems. This helps to ensure accessibility and the sustained use of digital health interventions. Culturally-humble approaches involving a broad range of participants, experts and other stakeholders can also lead to vital insights for content development, implementation and evaluation.
Access the full study via the JMIR website here.
PIF member Diabetes UK has teamed up with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to fund research into diabetes distress. Diabetes distress is when a person feels burdened or overwhelmed by living with diabetes. This condition makes it more difficult to deal with diabetes and reduces quality of life. The research is being led by Professor Jackie Sturt at King's College London.
Read more via the NIHR website here.
An open letter calling for the establishment of an equity charter condemning discrimination in the digital health sector has received more than 1,000 signatories. The charter was established following comments made by Frank Hestor, chief executive of health software firm TPP.
Read more and sign the open letter via the Equity Charter website here.
A new study focuses on co-design of a clinical education and participant information programme to promote shared decision-making between young people and clinical service providers. Workshops with young people who had accessed mental health services found they were empowered by education on clinical staging and multidisciplinary treatment options. Education gave them a better understanding of why certain treatments may be inappropriate and ineffective, reducing self-blame and increasing knowledge of links between mental health and other life domains. Young people also wanted better information on their rights in care and more support to share their expertise.
Read the full study results via the Wiley Online Library here.
NHS England has published new clinical guidance for automation of results release in patient engagement portals. The guidance says, when there may be a new diagnosis, there should be a proactive plan for follow-up with the patient within 21 days of the results being available to the clinical team. This will reduce the risk of a patient receiving the information via a digital route first.
Read the full guidance via the NHS England website here.
The Patient Safety Commissioner has launched a public consultation on draft Principles of Better Patient Safety. Once finalised, the principles will provide a clear framework for decision-making, planning and collaborative working, with patients as partners. They are for healthcare providers, commissioners, regulators, manufacturers and the broader supply chain.
Find out more and take part in the consultation via the Patient Safety Commissioner website here.