Priscilla E. Pemu*, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, United States Track: Practice Presentation Topic: Mobile & Tablet Health Applications Presentation Type: Poster presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Last modified: 2013-09-25

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Patient centered care recognizes that actively engaged patients drive quality care and improved health outcomes. The Affordable Healthcare Act is making new and unprecedented investments in electronic health records. Such investments could drive consumer engagement in the care delivery process. However, it is widely recognized that there is a digital divide and poor access to health information technology among minority and underserved patients, and the under resourced primary care physicians that care for them. If left uncorrected, this unfortunate reality will widen health disparities, and drive up healthcare costs. Over the past ten years, Morehouse School of Medicine has pioneered an innovative model of academic community partnerships that engage primary care physicians in the adoption of health information technology to improve quality care and practice based research. In order to support and sustain the model, we developed e-Healthystrides©, a patented mobile health technology system that integrates care delivery through self monitoring, health literacy and care coordination. At the center of this innovation is promotion of health literacy and behavior modification through self monitoring and decision support. Telehealth coaches help to individualize the care delivery process and care coordination. Demonstration projects in 300 diabetic patients across 3 primary care practices as well as a large urban church setting showed sustained benefits and improved clinical outcomes. By moving the care delivery process from the brief clinical encounter of the doctor’s office, to the community where patients live, work, worship and play, e-Healthystrides is addressing an unmet need in the management of chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, heart failure, arthritis, cancer and asthma, through improved medication adherence, access to care and early intervention. The global burden is underscored by this World Health Organization statistic: 60% of the 56 million deaths worldwide were due in part to chronic diseases and is projected to increase by 17% in 2015, with an even greater impact on quality of life and productivity.

Conclusion: e-Healthystrides© is demonstrating the power of integrated mobile technology in patient centered access to quality care, chronic disease prevention and intervention