Journal article

The challenges of real-world implementation of web-based shared care software: The HopSCOTCH Shared-Care Obesity Trial in Children

K Lycett, G Wittert, J Gunn, C Hutton, SA Clifford, M Wake

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making | Published : 2014

Abstract

Background: E-health initiatives hold promise to improve shared-care models of health care. In 2008-2011 we developed and trialled web-based software to facilitate a randomised trial of a shared-care approach for childhood obesity involving General Practitioners (GPs) working with tertiary specialists. We describe the software's development, implementation and evaluation, and make recommendations for future e-health initiatives. The web-based software was designed with the goals of allowing both GPs and specialists to communicate and review patient progress; integrating with existing GP software; and supporting GPs to deliver the structured intervention. Specifically, we aimed to highlight t..

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Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council


Funding Acknowledgements

We thank all GPs (including the VicReN focus group participants) who participated in the trial, as well as their dedicated practice staff. We also gratefully acknowledge the input and support of PEN Computer Systems and Mr Michael Stringer of Knowsys in developing, deploying and managing the shared-care software. HopSCOTCH was funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC Priority Driven Research Grant 491212). MW was supported by NMHRC Career Development Award 546405 and Senior Research Fellowship 1046518. Research at Murdoch Childrens Research Institute is supported by the Victorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Support Program.