Radboudumc and Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine are making efforts towards personalised patient care: optimal treatment for the right patient at the right time in the right place. Together with Prof Sjaak Bloem of Nijenrode University, J&J has developed a Health Monitor aimed at patient well-being. It was tested at Radboudumc by Dr Jacqueline Loonen.
Health Monitor is an instrument based on two psychological variables: acceptance and control. These variables provide insight into how people experience their health. The higher the acceptance - to what extent people can give their health condition a place in their lives - and control - to what extent people see opportunities to do something about their health condition - the more positive the health experience.
Cut-of scores are determined to distinguish between high and low scores on acceptance and control (both are measured by three questions). This leads to a dynamic framework consisting of four segments, with each segment specifying a basic need that guides the type of support people need.
Acceptance and control can change over time due to numerous events. Appropriate care will therefore also have to vary over time, and Health Monitor can help with that. Initial evaluations among care staff show that they are very satisfied with the instrument: Health Monitor leads to efficient use of care and provides more insights into what patients need. In follow-up evaluations, 'perceived sense of purpose and what this means for the daily practice of care staff' will be included as standard from now on.
At Radboudumc, Health Monitor is used within the Department of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases. To investigate the economic value of Health Monitor, a collaboration project will be initiated with the Late cancer survivor centre department and IQ Healthcare of Radboudumc.
