The ICST respiratory toolkit led to ICST winning two HSJ Digital Awards in 2023 on generating impact in population health and moving towards net zero in digital.
What is it?
The toolkit is made up of three areas.
Patient self management apps
Supporting patients in the everyday management of their condition, providing a digital personalised action plan
Wrap-round toolkit for healthcare professionals
A platform for healthcare professionals sharing guidelines, education, competences and quality improvement support aligned to local and national policy
Data dashboard for commissioners
Allowing commissioners to see real-time data about the uptake and engagement within their locality helping to inform service provision
How was it developed?
The ICST’s respiratory toolkit was developed from collaborative work with the RCP and National Respiratory Audit team, NHS Wales and patients and is now deployed nationwide in Wales. In particular the toolkit is aimed at improving patients’ ability to self-manage their condition, improve diagnostic accuracy and optimise the use of resources. By increasing the numbers of patients with the knowledge and confidence to manage their conditions, time in consultations can become focused on the things that really matter for patients and limited healthcare resources are targeted towards areas of greatest need.
Following its launch in 2020 the app has 20,000+ downloads and 99% of GP practices in Wales have patients using it. Data shows no variation in uptake geographically or by deprivation index of GP surgeries. To support spread it’s critical that knowledge is disseminated in ways that encourage adoption. The app was not simply providing patients with a digital version of their paper based personalised action plan. Coupled with the wraparound toolkit and data dashboard the toolkit facilitated an information flow allowing clinicians to understand how the app could add value to their roles and patients’ lives by providing resources and education on evidenced based ways for their patients to avoid deterioration and make better informed choices.
The ICST applied implementation and behavioural science methodology to inform its approach to getting the toolkit into the hands of motivated adopters. Coproduction in design and implementation informed refinements of the toolkit so it was more fit for purpose within local or individual contexts. Continuous information, training and support helped embed the toolkit into daily work and lives. The dedicated resources available through the ICST team, facilitators and coaches, accessible in each region, helped oversee changes from paper to digital approaches, address concerns and enabled continuous improvement. In a resource constrained system the value of this cannot be underestimated.
The ICST’s approach shows how pivotal relationships and process improvement are in moving innovative ideas towards realising their true potential as innovations. These toolkits are an example of how technology can be a mechanism to engage and support patients through the year, translate policy into lives and integrate with a system.
If you have similar examples to share please email medicalcare@rcp.ac.uk.