HEALTH E-TECHNOLOGIES: ASSESSING NEW TOOLS FOR CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT AND HEALTH BEHAVIOR CHANGE
Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital
David K. Ahern, Ph.D., Principal Investigator/National Program Director (NPD)
Interactive health technologies (e.g., Internet, interactive TV, interactive voice response systems, kiosks, handheld devices) hold great promise to reach and impact large numbers of people, improve the quality of and access to health services, and optimize the use of health care and public health systems. Although numerous health Web sites are available and some interactive health communications have a promising early track record, more understanding is needed about the quality and effects of these applications on patient disease management and health behavior change, or on provider behavior. More systematic and rigorous evaluation is needed of interactive health technologies and the capabilities they offer (e.g., personalized and tailored communications) to deliver effective care and foster productive patient-provider interactions. This proposed initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) would catalyze the development of more efficacious interactive health programs on health behavior change and disease management by evaluating promising new interventions and providing the evidence base and knowledge needed to build better interventions. The program will support scientific research that involves (1) providers or provider-based networks; (2) health care organizations; and (3) voluntary and community organizations. In addition, special emphasis will be given to studies that assess efforts to reach specific diverse populations, including ethnic and racial minorities, older adults, low-income families, and disabled persons. Lessons on successful methods and tools would be shared through a resource center in the area of interactive technology and health behavior and disease management. This project will be successful if it creates new, scientifically credible evidence for how interactive chronic disease management and health behavior technologies improve the processes and outcomes of care for patients and consumers, and support provider adherence to evidence-based care.
Grant Support. The proposed authorization is sponsored by RWJF for a five-year period and includes approximately $7.25 million for grants awarded by RWJF over 3 years, $2.75 million for a five-year Technical Assistance and Direction (TAD) budget, and $300,000 for an independent assessment of the overall Initiative.
Program Sites. The TAD is awarded to the Department of Psychiatry at the Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Program Director. David Ahern, Ph.D., PI/NPD, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; and Research Psychologist, Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Contact Address. Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital , 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, (617) 732-5236 and (617) 278-6907 (f), dahern@partners.org.