Use of medical informatics for management of multiple sclerosis using a chronic-care model

Abstract

Abstract-The mission of the Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence (MSCoEs) is to optimize the services veterans with multiple sclerosis (MS) receive across the U.S. Veterans Health Administration. To accomplish this mission, the MSCoE West has adopted a collaborative chronic-disease management strategy along the lines of the model described by Wagner and colleagues. This model describes an organized, integrated, proactive, and population-based approach to patient care that includes healthcare delivery system change and patient-based self-management. While Wagner's model is described independent of information technology, the majority of actions called for in that model benefit tremendously from the application of a powerful and well-integrated informatics infrastructure designed to serve and support populations with chronic disease. Key elements such as goals and actions encourage high-quality care for those with chronic illnesses.

Internet Usage by Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Implications to Participatory Medicine and Personalized Healthcare

“…A few websites, as the one from the “MS Centers of Excellence” [11], go beyond information and support self-monitoring of the disease. Since MS patients experience a vast array of symptoms that may exacerbate or decrease over time and may suffer also from memory impairment, detailed registration of the symptoms can improve disease management, by allowing more accurate reports to the physician.…”

Untitled

“…Telemedical approaches that use a chronic care model can be implemented on multiple levels for improving the quality of care of patients with MS [12]. In a recent article, Hatzakis et al emphasized the importance of telehealth programs [12], which were defined as "the provision of healthcare and sharing of medical knowledge through telecommunications," for veterans. Hatzakis et al indicated that veterans are often isolated because of their disability or location and telemedicine can significantly improve access to medical care for them.…”

Technology and Care for Patients with Chronic Conditions: The Chronic Care Model as a Framework for the Integration of ICT

“…To translate data into practice, clinicians typically have to: 1) formulate questions that are answerable from the information sources, 2) search for and identify evidence to answer the clinical questions and 3) appraise the evidence identified for quality, reliability, accuracy and relevance [36]. A clinician or a practice team would be greatly supported by an automated clinical reasoning support tool in which available evidence from the literature is selected, deliberated on, summarized, and attuned with guidelines and treatment protocols [16]. A patient's profile, derived from both medical and social data, could form a basis for personalization through which the available evidence could be tailored into relevant instructions for each person involved in the care process.…”