Computer Assisted Medication and Patient Information Interface (CAMPII)

Improvements in glucose control and other risk factors in diabetics have been shown to reduce diabetes complications and costs. Improving the flow of information between patients and their providers, particularly around medication adherence and information on adverse events, can improve the decisionmaking ability of clinicians in their care of these individuals. 

The Computer Assisted Medication and Patient Information Interface project (CAMPII) developed and tested “My Medication Helper” (MMH), an innovative computer assisted self-interview tool delivered via kiosk for use in a hospital diabetes clinic. MMH was designed for low-literacy diabetic patients to allow them to report both their current medications and hypoglycemic episodes, which are among the most common limiting adverse events for diabetics. These self-interviews take place prior to visits with providers to help improve the flow of relevant information to clinicians.   

Following development, MMH was evaluated with both crossover and randomized trials comparing the tool to traditional and customized paper instruments, the medical chart, and a comprehensive “gold standard” interview by a clinical pharmacist and certified diabetes educator.

The main objectives of this project were to:

• Develop an accessible information computer interface in a municipal hospital diabetes clinic that patients can use to report medication information and adverse drug interactions. 
• Develop a provider medication interface to support medication management functions. 
• Assess the accuracy, acceptability, time efficiency, and utility of the information interface for both providers and patients.

The project successfully designed MMH with input from clinical and human factors experts and patients. The final tool had simple touch screen navigation, clear visual elements, voiceovers, and easy, non-judgmental questions. A provider interface was also developed to allow clinicians to reconcile patient-entered data and print medication instructions. 

In the study, the tool was found to be more accurate than traditional paper methods and compared favorably with the medical chart and comprehensive interview for medication accuracy. It was more sensitive in detecting hypoglycemia than all the comparison methods, although it had more false positives. Providers reported that the tool saved time and improved information quality. Study patients preferred the tool to paper forms. All methods were faster than the comprehensive interview. The project team concluded that use of the tool can improve care for patients with diabetes and improve provider accuracy and efficiency.