Neuromodulation
Alrijne Hospital
Since 2022, Alrijne Hospital has been using Patient Journey App to guide patients through their neuromodulation treatment with the right information at the right time.
Eveline Ruijgrok is a pain consultant working in the Pain Treatment Centre at Alrijne Hospital in Leiderdorp. This department treats patients with various chronic pain conditions. One of the treatments offered is spinal cord stimulation, also known as neuromodulation. To support patients before, during, and after this treatment, Patient Journey App is used.
E-health solution
For the placement of a neuromodulator, patients first undergo an extensive intake process to assess their suitability. If patients meet the criteria, they enter a lengthy period with strict lifestyle rules that they must follow after the treatment. To ensure that the entire process runs smoothly, that the right information is provided at the right time, and that the lifestyle rules are adhered to, we sought an e-health solution to support patients. This led us to Patient Journey App.
Benefits for the patient and the healthcare provider
The main benefit for the patient is that information is delivered in a manageable way. We also hear that patients find the app a true support. They receive a lot of information throughout the process, and with the app, they are able to take action themselves. The push notifications also help remind patients of important information. For example, if there is a change in the patient's health situation during the treatment, it needs to be reported to us. While we discuss this with the patient at the beginning of the process, they often forget. The convenient reminders prompt the patient to notify us more quickly. This also places some responsibility on the patient and encourages self-management.
For the healthcare provider, the app offers benefits as well. Previously, we provided patients with information only through paper brochures, which some patients would discard or misplace. With the app, the information is always available, and we can refer back to it as needed. Additionally, patients are better informed and more likely to report any changes in their health situation, which can reduce the number of cancelled surgeries, for example.
Future
Currently, we mainly use the app for providing information. In the future, it would be great to make the app more personalised so that the advice can better align with each individual. Additionally, we are increasingly focusing on the concept of 'positive health,' which involves viewing the disease and the patient's well-being from a different perspective. This approach looks at what someone can still do and wants to do, rather than focusing solely on the disease. This is a valuable concept that we also want to incorporate into the app.
Furthermore, we would like to involve other healthcare providers in the process. At present, the app is primarily used by us as nurse specialists and pain consultants. However, as we start to monitor patients more closely, it will also become interesting for doctors and other healthcare professionals. It would be beneficial to involve physiotherapists for guidance on physical activity. In summary, there are still many future plans and wishes!
“It would be great to make the app more personalised in the future, so that the advice can better align with each individual.”
More information?
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