Abstracts

Rationale: Computer technology has been identified as one mechanism to increase patient knowledge and satisfaction as well as decrease anxiety (Friedman et al., 2011, J Cancer Educ. 2011 Mar; 26(1): 12-21 ). Consequently, this study explores designing and assessing the feasibility of using digital patient education materials in an outpatient epilepsy practice setting Methods: A multidisciplinary team of epileptologists, epilepsy nurses, practice administrators and librarians used qualitative methods to test the feasibility of implementing digital patient education materials on wireless digital tablets in an outpatient epilepsy practice setting. The team met multiple times between March thru May, 2014 to identify study participants, develop the digital materials, model clinic workflow and design survey questions for both patients and providers. Results: Identify study participants: The subjects are comprised of all new English speaking patients over the age of 18. Patients' participation is optional and an informed consent is not required. Develop the digital materials: Four wireless Nexus, android 7.0 tablets loaded with the Aldiko application, containing patient education materials, are to be distributed to new patients. Aldiko, an electronic book reader application was synced with a desktop version of Calibre, an e-book management system, containing education materials chosen by the team. Aldiko's ability to easily import and manipulate documents in PDF format was essential to this project. Patients are directed to a specific collection within the Aldiko App with titles chosen by the team "A New Patient Introduction," "What is A Seizure," First Aid for Seizures," and "Driving Laws and Tips." Additional educational materials, primarily authored by the NIH and also in PDF format, are available on the tablet as well. Model clinic workflow: An administrative staff from the practice will provide to each new patient: a tablet to review before their office visit and an anonymous paper-based survey to be filled out after the visit. This employee will also be responsible to collect the survey and tablet back from the patient, and then store items in a secure area. Design survey questions: The multidisciplinary team designed survey questions for both patients and providers. The patient survey questions address patient's satisfaction with the Electronic Patient Education Information that they viewed and the tablet itself. Satisfaction will be recorded using yes or no answers and the Likert scale questions (on a scale of 0-5). Healthcare professionals will also be asked to participate in an anonymous secure online survey upon completion of the project to provide feedback or opinions of patients having accessed the educational materials. Conclusions: Our planning and development processes involved multiple stakeholders across different phases and yielded new digital patient education materials. Its feasibility will be assessed in the 10 weeks trial period. Measures of a successful outcome will be determined by the assessment of the patient and provider surveys.