Two recent surveys demonstrate the value of MedActionPlan.com (MAP), a family of powerful, web-based programs that provide the health care industry with tools to educate and empower patients to become partners in their own health care. Specifically, MAP enables health care providers (HCPs) to easily create detailed, personalized treatment plans in patient-friendly language. These plans are of particular importance in transplant patients, as studies have shown that medication errors in this setting are common and often lead to significant adverse events and failed allografts.
“Using MedActionPlan has led to a decrease in med errors at home and increase in patient understanding of med doses.”
To assess the value of MAP, the International Transplant Nurses Society (ITNS) asked 52 HCPs about their experience using this tool. The results, presented by Beth Kassalen, MBA, executive director of ITNS, at the 2011 American Transplant Congress (ATC) conference, indicated that more than 94% of respondents agreed that this tool improved patient care and medication adherence at their facility. Participants commented, “I have caught mistakes that patients are making at home much more frequently,” and, “there is a decreased incidence of patients taking incorrect doses of medications since we began using this program.”
Increasing patient understanding is the key to improved adherence. Over 98% of survey participants agreed that MAP improved patient understanding of their medication regimen. One respondent said, “patients understand and interpret their medication schedules better...there is less confusion.” The tool bundles all essential information about medications, dosing, dosing intervals, and special instructions into one patient-friendly package. The materials were designed using adult health literacy principles and include full-color pill pictures, easy-to-understand charts, and clear instructions written in everyday language (either English or Spanish). In the words of one survey participant:
“No other module even comes close to MedActionPlan.com for simplifying medication regimens for our patients who take 10+ prescriptions/day.“
MAP also helps providers educate their patients. One survey participant commented, “I am more successful with teaching using MedActionPlan.com.” The availability of MAP outputs in both English and Spanish was highly rated, as was the easy-to-read layout, wallet size and large typeface.
Patients echo the value of MAP, as evidenced by a survey of 54 transplant patients who use MAP at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center. Results of survey, presented by Ashley Feist, PharmD at the 2011 conference of the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplant (ISHLT), demonstrated that, with MAP, more than 71% of patients agreed that their memory for important medical information has improved and only 7.5% felt nervous when a health care provider asked them to remember something about their medication regimen.
One patient said, “Everywhere I go with my medicine list, they are impressed. I would be lost without it. It helps keep me organized.” Other respondents agreed, as nearly 95% brought their MAP printouts to their most recent medical appointment. MAP also aids patient-provider communication, as 82% of survey participants agreed that the medication schedule made it easier to talk about their medicines. Alexander Aussi, BSN, RN, MBA, Director, Center for Transplantation at UCSD, concurs and states, “MAP leads to better communication between patients and transplant health care providers.”
Better communication and better outcomes are the reasons that MAP was developed. Tim Peters, President of MedActionPlan.com, LLC, emphasizes the company’s commitment to health education programs that increase patient understanding and adherence. Mr. Peters credits the dedication of health care professionals, commenting, “It’s exciting to work with so many hard-working providers who strive every day to make a difference in the lives of their patients.” MAP, which is currently used in over 80% of transplant facilities throughout the U.S., is an example of the power of such collaboration. One provider surveyed summed it up by saying, “[MAP] is an excellent tool for patients and really allows them to feel like they can manage their medications.”
About MedActionPlan.com, LLC
For nearly 30 years, Tim Peters, president, has specialized in pioneering health education programs that increase patient understanding. In 2005, MedActionPlan.com was introduced to provide the health care industry with innovative resources that utilize cutting-edge technology and proven health literacy principles to empower patients to become active partners in their health care. Kate Ventura, Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania said, “MAP is an excellent patient education tool that serves as a great resource for teaching the patient about their medication therapy.”
MedActionPlan.com works closely with health care providers, patients and industry experts to ensure that each program is reliable, easy to use, and helps improve patient care and health outcomes.