The role of informatics in promoting patient-centered care

Abstract

Patient-centered care is an important aspect of high-quality care. Health informatics, particularly advances in technology, has the potential to facilitate, or detract from, patient-centered cancer care. Informatics can provide a mechanism for patients to provide their clinician(s) with critical information and to share information with family, friends, and other patients. This information may enable patients to exert greater control over their own care. Clinicians may use information systems (e.g., electronic medical records) to coordinate care and share information with other clinicians. Patients and clinicians may use communication tools and information resources to interact with one another in new ways. Caution in using new information resources is warranted to avoid reliance on biased or inappropriate data, and clinicians may need to direct patients to appropriate information resources. Perhaps the greatest challenge for both patients and providers is identifying information that is high quality and that enhances (and does not impede) their interactions.

Figure 1

Depiction of the ways information interacts with patients and clinicians. Patients and clinicians exist in a universe of information, with only a portion representing high-quality information. Clinicians can use informatics to integrate the information they learn from patients with their medical knowledge and data resources to improve patient care [pink arrow]. Informatics can also provide a mechanism for a patient to provide his or her clinician(s) with critical information about him or herself [dark blue arrow]. Informatics can help patients share information with their family and friends, and with other patients [dotted orange lines], as well as helping multiple members of their care team update and share critical information about them [dotted plum lines]. At the same time, it must be noted that much of the information available to both clinicians and patients is biased, incorrect, or otherwise not useful. Low quality information is shared frequently among patients [dashed light blue lines] and even clinicians [dashed yellow lines]. Clinicians can direct their patients to appropriate information resources [lavender arrow].

Figure 2

A help calendar, such as this one created using mylifeline.org allows the patient to create a calendar for doctor’s appointments, treatment milestones, and help requests. This can be emailed out to friends and family to view progress and sign up to provide assistance as needed.

Figure 3

Portion of a survivorship care plan from JourneyForward.