Developing a Database to Drive Ambulatory Healthcare Innovation

Abstract

Title: Developing a Database to Drive Ambulatory Healthcare Innovation Ashley Shaw, Russell Phillips MD Purpose: Based on our knowledge, there is no dominant nationwide platform for finding and sharing workflows of healthcare delivery innovation projects that addresses on-the-ground clinicians’ nitty-gritty implementation needs. Characterization of diffusion patterns of healthcare delivery innovation knowledge among clinicians reveals dependence on informal networks and condition or setting-specific learning collaboratives along with time-intensive integration of information from conferences, professional organizations, and boutique consulting opportunities. The author developed CareZooming, a web-based platform for on-the-ground clinicians with the evidence and access to expert advice they need to implement their next healthcare delivery project. The CareZooming platform is comprised of 1) a database of quality improvement and healthcare delivery innovation project workflows from ambulatory care settings around the United States and 2) a network of clinical leaders who provide “eConsults for healthcare delivery” to clinicians seeking advice through the platform’s CareZooming Connections service. The author will first describe the platform creation journey and then explore results of aims to 1) explore user perceptions of the utility of the CareZooming Connections “eConsults for healthcare delivery” service 2) to better understand prior knowledge of healthcare professions students who develop database content for CareZooming and 3) to explore clinician perceptions of current resources utilized in the information-gathering phase of healthcare delivery innovation. Methods: Email surveys created on GoogleForms were administered 1) to CareZooming Connections participants categorized as “Teachers” or “Learners” directly after consulting sessions had been completed 2) to CareZooming healthcare professions student editors recruited in January 2019 to assess their prior knowledge before job training and 3) to clinician subscribers to the weekly CareZooming News e-newsletter. Results: The CareZooming Connection Review Survey response rate was 57%. The CareZooming Student Editor Pre-Survey response rate was 80%; this data represents pre-intervention data and post-intervention data will be collected for comparison in May 2019. As of 26 February 2019, the CareZooming User Survey garnered 2 responses but is still accepting responses. Conclusions: Our results indicate that CareZooming Connection “Learners” save on average 3 hours and $150 with our service and are very likely to recommend the service to colleagues. Student editors rate their prior knowledge of healthcare delivery as “Poor” to “Good” but not “Excellent.” The two clinicians who have responded to the CareZooming User survey to date perceive remarkably low rates of success at connecting with peer experts who are well matched to their implementation needs.