BACKGROUND: Cancer care is often fragmented for the patient undergoing complex care. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation require coordination with medical services and infusion centers. Past practices utilizing telephone communication limited care coordination. Before advances in technology, patients were restricted to obtain their health care information through conversation. Care coordination paired with patient-centered technology enables collaboration among the health care team and creates structure through visual displays of essential information.
OBJECTIVE: Our goals were to introduce technology and maximize enrollment for the patient by: (1) Establishing MyHealth eVet within the Hematology- Oncology department for increased patient support to memorialize communication. (2) Create access to care to better manage treatment of health-related issues. (3) Empower the patient to participate in managing their care.
METHODS: In October of 2017 the NF/SGVA began implementing MyHealth eVet . The Hematology-Oncology department had no formal process. By the Fall of 2019 the infusion room process was to enroll each patient or upgrade the patients’ account to premium status at the time of their first encounter with nursing during chemotherapy education.
RESULTS: MyHealth eVet usage and chemotherapy education appointments within the Hematology-Oncology department were surveyed. Over a two-year period, use in the Hematology-Oncology department at the NF/SGVA showed steady escalation of secure messaging as more oncology patients enrolled. When COVID19 arose in February 2020, the Hematology- Oncology department was already poised to handle care coordination for their patients during this crisis. With our established practices, coordination of care for patients in treatment well prepared to receive care and communication electronically through MyHealth eVet .
CONCLUSIONS: Personal health networks (PHN) have evolved and have become a novel solution to address challenges of the cancer care continuum. MyHealth eVet serves as a voice for the VA for navigating patient care coordination needs. My- HealtheVet is a clinical tool that functions locally using administrative features to involve, engage, and educate the patient with an array of resources. This enrollment process allowed us to remain patient- centered and well equipped to face COVID19 related access challenges as they quickly evolved in the spring of 2020. Pharmacy functions and Secure Messaging emerge as the strongest tools in our communication toolbox.