Empowering middle-aged patients with multimorbidity through virtual co-creation

Ana Isabel Gonzalez- Gonzalez, Ileana Gefaell, Debora Koatz, Vanesa Ramos-García, Anthea Santos-Álvarez, Alba Campillejo-García, Jaime Barrio-Cortes, Ana Belén Ramírez-Puerta, Marta Ruiz-López, María Eugenia Tello-Bernabé, Carola Orrego, Lilisbeth Perestelo-Pérez

Keywords: Patient empowerment, multimorbidity management, virtual co-creation, healthcare innovation

Background:

Managing multimorbidity in middle-aged adults poses significant healthcare challenges. Virtual Communities of Practice (VCoP) offer a novel approach to empower patients by leveraging their experiences and insights alongside healthcare professionals.

Research questions:

How can a VCoP enhance patient empowerment for middle-aged individuals with multimorbidity?
What are the key themes and concerns of patients that can be addressed through co-creation?

Method:

This study employed a tailored experiential design, engaging both patients (ages 30-60 with ≥2 chronic diseases) and healthcare professionals (i.e., multidisciplinary team) in a co-creation process. Through semi-structured interviews and collaborative sessions conducted from October 2023 to May 2024, participants developed the structural and thematic elements of the VCoP.

Results:

Fourteen middle-aged patients (mean age 49.84, SD 8.92, 9 females) with multimorbidity and healthcare professionals including GPs and nurses, identified seven key themes for effective health management. These themes, integrated into a Patient Journey Map, emphasize personalized medication management, crucial for daily health routines, and customized care plans tailored to individual emergency needs. The process also highlighted the importance of peer support and community engagement, fostering a supportive network that mitigates patient isolation. Access to expert advice ensures patients receive timely medical guidance, while health monitoring and alerts leverage technology to keep track of health changes proactively. Additionally, mental health support addresses the psychological effects of chronic conditions, and educational resources provide ongoing information, empowering patients with knowledge to manage their health confidently.

Conclusions:

The co-creation process with middle-aged multimorbid patients and healthcare professionals has highlighted the potential benefits of a patient-centered approach in managing complex health conditions. The development of the Patient Journey Map, featuring personalized care strategies and robust support systems, suggests a promising path toward enhancing patient autonomy and improving quality of life. This model could potentially be scaled to optimize healthcare delivery in similar settings, pending further evaluation of its effectiveness.

Points for discussion:

The implications of these findings for scaling up VCoP initiatives.

Potential strategies for integrating patient feedback into continuous VCoP development.

Evaluating the long-term impact of patient empowerment on health outcomes and healthcare utilization.

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