iPlato gets good feedback from NHNN

iPLATO Healthcare has reported positive feedback from a mobile patient support service provided in partnership with the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

More than 50 patients have signed up to the service, which helps patients adhere to  treatment by sending reminders to their phone.

The hospital is now looking for funding partners to extend the service to more patients, add electronic patient diary features and produce more evidence on the clinical outcomes of mHealth services.

“Many of our patients have problems remembering to take their medication and this service is a useful support to them,” said Professor John Duncan from the hospital.

“It could potentially save health service resources if, by taking their medication more regularly, people have fewer seizures and therefore have less need for health services.”

Qualitative research has found that patients using the service forget to take their tablets less often and that it provides reassurance for their families.

Anthony Linklater, an epilepsy specialist nurse at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, said: "We are continuing to collect feedback from people using this service.

"It is beginning to become clear that improvements in adherence are resulting in better seizure control and less use of emergency medical services for some. We hope to get a clearer idea of the scale of these benefits later in the year."