Designing a digital information platform for people with Atrial FibrillationInsights from AF event 19 December

Headlines

• Some general considerations• Focusing on the value add• Modules/ elements• Accessibility• Interactive function• Tech functionality requirements• Metrics• Integration with other services

Some general considerations• There is lots of information out there – in designing this platform focus on

how it will be different and what value it will add.• Think carefully about the aim of the information – is it designed to support

knowledge, condition management, psychological support, reassurance, decision making, navigation or a combination?

• Support to interpret information is as important as providing information.• Consider how the platform will integrate with other face to face services.• Build metrics in from the beginning to support adoption and scaling.• Link into work around quality standards and expectations for AF services.• Consider accessibility – languages, formats, touchpoints, integration with

face to face service offer.• Be careful about disease specific information in context of high levels of

multiple conditions.• The journey isn’t linear – people can go in and out of ‘crisis’ at any point.

Focusing on the value add

• Gathers existing information in one place and provides intelligent signposting to existing services and resources.

• Interactive function enables personalised access to information.• Information is ‘humanised’ with anecdotes/ stories to help people to

understand/ interpret quantitative information and statistics. • Provides access to credible information sources through for example

videos of consultants/ EPs talking about AF. • My ‘AF diary’ function allows people to track their condition.• Interactive function produces personalised reminders and flags for

patients and professionals.• Provides information on local services.• Can produce a print-out of patient notes/ condition history for patients to

take with them to appointments.

Modules/elements

• Simple explanation of AF.• Information/ interface/ support group for key carers as well as AF patients.• Interactive personalised information on:

– Therapies and options (particularly around procedures and medication)

– Risk factors (particularly around procedures and medication). – Possible pathways.

• Lifestyle-related considerations and information.• How to promote/ maintain positive thinking and good mental health. • What to do if you think that therapy is not working.

Modules/ elements• Signposting to 24/7 helpline and other face to face services.• Access to a moderated and recognised forum.• Stories and case studies in visual as well as written form.• Map of services available in my local area.• Care planning.• News and events.• My AF diary.• A set of key questions (designed with patients) as prompts for patient-

professional conversation and information and guidelines about how to get the most out of interactions with professionals.

Accessibility• Links up with different services (e.g. A&E, pharmacy, care homes, GPs) to

promote access. • Targets key carers as well as AF patients. • Uses segmented marketing strategies tailored to different possible users

(e.g. texts/ emails with different straplines: hear from xxx cardiologist about AF; link up with other people with AF; find out how to lead a positive, active lifestyle with AF).

Interactive Function

• Interactive consultation leading to personalised information on treatment options and risk factors.

• Personalised signposting to relevant information on the site.• Track your condition through ‘My AF Diary’ function (could this have

algorithms which flagged at risk people?).• Ongoing prompts, reminders and flags to patients, carers and

professionals informed by patient interaction with platform.

Tech functionality requirements

• Individual log-in function.• Secure management of information input by users.• Anonymised data capture from user interactions with platform.• Algorithms underpinning interactive consultation, personalised

signposting to information, flags and follow up.• Interface with professionals i.e. texting and email to generate follow up

and flags for users and professionals• Stratified website by: point in pathway, level of detail they want, their

beliefs, their treatments.

Metrics

• Capture visits and usage stats.• Capture (anonymised) data from interactive functions of the platform.• Voting buttons.• Survey.• PREMS study with users of the platform – baseline and follow up.• Analyse NHS data alongside platform interactions for a cohort of users.

Integration with other services• Does the platform need a helpline?• Does the platform need a wider expert taskforce? When would this be

used?• Which IT systems would it need to integrate with? GPs, warfarin clinics,

care homes?• At what point would someone be enrolled onto this?