The use of an electronic personal health record-based self-management system can improve patient engagement and reduce costly falls among older adults, according to the results of a new study in eGEMs.
The use of an electronic personal health record-based (ePHR-based) self-management system can improve patient engagement and reduce falls among older adults, according to the results of a new study in eGEMs.
Barbara Sheehan, PhD, RN, PNP, from Intel Corp, and Robert J. Lucero, PhD, MPH, RN, from the University of Florida, Gainesville, tested Self-Assessment via a Personal Health Record (SAPHeR), an ePHR-based falls-prevention self-management system, and evaluated its use by community-dwelling older adults at home.
Fall-associated mortality among older Americans increased by more than 45% from 1999 to 2007, and nonfatal fall-related injuries cost nearly $19 billion in 2000. According to the authors, with the population of older Americans expected to more than double between 2010 and 2030, preventing falls is a high priority.
The SAPHeR system has 4 goals:
The researchers assessed the usability and the feasibility of the system in 2 phases. In the usability phase, the authors recruited 10 adults between the ages of 60 and 78 years. The participants were highly satisfied with the system and strongly agreed about the quality of the interface and the information provided in the system.
In the feasibility portion of the study, the researchers recruited 15 participants, average age of 67 years. They used the system for 8 weeks. Overall, they reported an increase in confidence in performing both indoor and outdoor activities, and the investigators calculated that the system could moderately improve falls self-efficacy.
“The overall outcome was that community-dwelling older adults could benefit from exposure to the SAPHeR system,” the authors wrote. “Specifically, exposure to the system may improve older adults’ confidence in performing everyday indoor and outdoor activities, or falls self-efficacy, thereby reducing their risk of a fall.”
Exploring Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Variations
March 26th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the March 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on variations in prior authorization use across Medicare Advantage plans.
Listen
Navigating Health Literacy, Social Determinants, and Discrimination in National Health Plans
February 13th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the February 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on how health plans can screen for health literacy, social determinants of health, and perceived health care discrimination.
Listen
Homelessness Compounds Hospital Stay Challenges: Study Reveals Prolonged Discharge Struggles
March 28th 2024In this investigation, outcomes of interest were morbidity rate and length of hospital stay or a traumatic injury among a homeless population, and whether age and/or injury severity had an influence on that relationship—with implications for improving the discharge process for these patients.
Read More
FDA Approves Vadadustat for Anemia in Patients With CKD Undergoing Dialysis
March 28th 2024The FDA approved vadadustat (Vafseo), an oral medication, to treat anemia in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis for at least 3 months. This fills a need for a new treatment option as anemia is common in these patients and can significantly impact their quality of life.
Read More