Utilization of an Interactive Internet-based Platform for Managing Chronic Diseases at a Distance

Chronic diseases represent an increasing burden for both the patient and healthcare system. Many people also now have more than one chronic disease. For those people with chronic diseases living in rural areas, the risk for hospitalization is more than 60% greater. These patients and their primary care providers face an enormous challenge in meeting their day-today health needs that patients with chronic diseases have.

Chronic diseases represent an increasing burden for both the patient and healthcare system. Many people also now have more than one chronic disease. For those people with chronic diseases living in rural areas, the risk for hospitalization is more than 60% greater. These patients and their primary care providers face an enormous challenge in meeting their day-today health needs that patients with chronic diseases have.

To fill this need, we will develop an Internet-based chronic disease management (iCDM) program that will bring the much needed patient and provider support to the patients' homes and communities. Partnering with five health authorities and on health organization, we will develop the iCDM to deliver specialized care services to patients in small urban and rural communities. Following completion of developing and testing, we will evaluate the program in 300 patients with more than one chronic disease living in areas without access to specialized care services. Patients will be assigned to either use the iCDM in connection with their primary care provider, or usual care.

After two years, we will compare the two groups on healthcare utilization and patient improvements. It is anticipated that the iCDM will improve patient care and reduce healthcare resources at the same time. In which case, our partners will work to quickly implement the program.