GBA healthcare research - INFO-LE - Evidence-based health information for patients with pulmonary embolism in the post-acute treatment phase
- Project Leader: Dr. Inge Kirchberger
- Affiliation: Institute of Medical Data Processing, Biometrics and Epidemiology (IBE)
- Funding: 2020 to 2023
Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most common cardiovascular disease after heart attack and stroke. After acute inpatient care, PE therapy is usually continued on an outpatient basis over a longer period of time. Particularly during the transition from inpatient to outpatient treatment, there is often a complex need for information on the part of patients. This applies to medical questions about illness and therapy, but also information on dealing with the illness and existing fears. Corresponding scientifically proven, so-called evidence-based, health information does not currently exist.
The primary goal of the project is to develop an information brochure on PE. In a pilot and evaluation phase, the effective components of the developed patient information are examined in detail. Another aim of the study is to develop a questionnaire. In the future, it should be able to evaluate to what extent evidence-based health information helps patients to actively and responsibly deal with their illness and how this ultimately contributes to the success of treatment.
To create the information brochure, evidence-based information on PE is first viewed and assessed. In addition, the information requirement is determined from the patient's perspective. Various pilot versions of the information material are then checked using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods and finally evaluated in an optimized form on a sample of patients. A literature review and surveys of patients and experts will be used in the development of the questionnaire.
The project is funded for 3 years with a total of approx. 700,000 euros.
If successful, the newly developed information brochure can be made available to PE patients when they are discharged and used by them independently. In this way, patients would be given more knowledge about their situation and thus also the opportunity to take a more active role in the care process in the future.
Source: GBA Innovationsfonds