06 June 2016
Care for patients with multi morbid chronic conditions could be transformed by new cloud infrastructure to be developed at the University of Warwick.
Patients with multi morbidity have two or more chronic conditions such as diabetes, dementia and arthritis which makes treatment more complicated. It has become more prevalent among older adults as mortality rates have declined and the population has aged.
A new system called C3-Cloud, which is led by the Institute of Digital Healthcare (IDH) which is based at the University of Warwick, aims to transform current care models that are said to be mostly fragmented and address chronic conditions in isolation.
C3 Cloud is claimed to be the first system that will enable the creation of a personalised treatment plan for each patient by allowing hospitals, GPs and social care organisations across the health and care system to exchange information and coordinate care more effectively.
Those behind the project say it will contribute to significant research breakthroughs in healthcare such as the introduction of new models of patient-centric, integrated care, and the development of automated IT supported clinical decision making which will prevent incompatible treatment plans.
IDH head of research and C3-Cloud project co-ordinator Professor Theo Arvanitis said: “The models used at the moment considerably limit the quality of care to patients, result in safety risks when treatments for each condition are not compatible with each other, and increase cost.
“This happens mainly due to avoidable readmissions to hospitals, as well as repeated visits to the various experts. C3-Cloud is a patient-centric approach, considering the unique circumstances of each patient, taking into account all their conditions and needs.”
Researchers have been awarded €5m to lead pilots of the system in three countries. Funded by EU Horizon 2020, the project will run for four years and involves 12 partners from six EU member states along with Turkey as an associated country. Partners in each country include public health providers, industry and research organisations.
The project will include three 15 month long pilots. They will be conducted in the UK with the South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, in the Basque Country in Spain and in the Jämtland Härjedalen region of Sweden.
The three European areas have been chosen because of their varied health, social care and technology systems in place. The comparisons will enhance the study’s evidence base on health outcomes and efficiency gains.
To demonstrate feasibility, the trials will focus on diabetes, heart failure, renal failure and depression in different comorbidity combinations. Eventually it is hoped that the system will be rolled out across Europe allowing patients with chronic multi morbidity to benefit from improved health and care.
Arvanitis added: “The personalised care plans will be developed through systematic and semi-automatic reconciliation of clinical guidelines, and will incorporate risk prediction and stratification, recommendation reconciliation, poly-pharmacy management and goal setting.
“Active patient involvement and treatment adherence will be achieved through a ‘Patient Empowerment Platform’, ensuring patient needs are respected in decision making and taking into account preferences and psychosocial aspects.”