The current vocabulary for the use of patient data in care, treatment and research is difficult, complex and confusing. Many different words are used to describe the same thing, and many of those words are unnecessarily technical (for example pseudonymised, key-coded, de-identified for limited disclosure). This acts as a significant barrier to discussing the use of data with the public in ways that can build both understanding and confidence.
We think that an important part of improving conversations about patient data is getting the words right, in a way that is accurate but also accessible and meaningful. If everyone is on the same page in using these words, it’ll be easier for clinicians, patients, researchers and the public to have informed discussions about how patient data is used and why.
Why was this work needed?
Psychosis is a mental health problem affecting about one in a hundred people in the UK. It causes people to perceive or interpret things differently from those around them, and it can look and feel very different from person to person. With a high relapse rate, early intervention is crucial to avoid symptoms getting worse. In addition to the human cost, unplanned admissions into hospital for psychosis are costly for the NHS.
What happened?
The app was developed by researchers at the Farr Institute, University of Manchester. ClinTouch acts as an updateable, real-time record of symptoms for someone suffering from psychosis. Throughout their day, users are asked a series of questions, about their symptoms and respond using a sliding scale on their smartphone. This allows users to record their mental health effectively and makes it easier for health care providers to identify any potentially concerning changes in patient behaviour.
What were the benefits?
By allowing people with psychosis to track their symptoms, ClinTouch can help people to manage their conditions better. With patient consent, their clinical team can also be alerted when symptoms worsen and intervene as early as possible. ClinTouch can also be used to inform the content of clinical consultations and thus improve the quality of doctor-patient interactions.
Compared to standard care, ClinTouch leads to significantly faster improvement in psychotic symptoms in early psychosis. Earlier intervention in psychosis could also save money for the NHS.