Tarun Sharma
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
Title: Enabling patient-centred care through information and technology
Biography
Biography: Tarun Sharma
Abstract
The level of patient education given is substandard and the current patient education systems are ineffective. The main reasons are
outdated materials, inappropriate timing and manner of rushed presentation. Most people need to review information three to
five times before retention. Worcestershire glaucoma team pioneered patient education through support meeting and digital patient
education. Worcestershire Glaucoma Support Group was set up in 2009 to provide education and support to patients with glaucoma
to improve compliance and adherence with treatment. We organize 2-3 patients/public free meeting every year. We have an average
of 135 attendees. Such meetings provide patient-to-patient interaction and networking. We decided to make such support online by developing a website providing educational videos regarding various treatment options. Patients have an option to watch these videos as and when they want, in the company of their family (who were unable to attend hospital appointment). This can be done in the
comfort of their living room. It gives them an option toreview/replay the video as much time as needed. We also developed up to date
downloadable information leaflets for our patient. These educational videos are regularly used in glaucoma unit for informed consent
purposes. We have more than 4500 visitors to our website in 12 months. Visitors have downloaded more than 22,000 pages from our
website. Our online feedback score is 4.9/5. Support group’s initiatives led to significant fund raising which allowed ophthalmology department to purchase equipment worth £250,000. Digital patient education is way forward for consent and service deliver purposes while enhancing the patient experience and quality of service.