Patient and Caregiver Participation Through an Educational Health Information Technology System ("BMT Roadmap") in the Context of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (BMT), or commonly referred to as blood and marrow transplantation (BMT), is a potentially life-saving therapy for many malignant and non-malignant conditions. Despite advances over the past decade, which have led to improved outcomes, BMT remains an intense treatment modality often requiring prolonged inpatient--based care. While many patients endure the acute complications of the procedure, it is common for BMT patients and their caregivers to experience increased risk of financial and emotional burden, hospital readmission, and health service utilization. This highlights the importance of active involvement of BMT patients in their own health care (self--efficacy).

Given the intense nature of BMT, however, caregivers also play a critical role in the process and are a necessary component of proceeding with transplant. As such, caregiver activation on behalf of the patient plays a critical role in effective patient--caregiver-provider partnerships, which is increasingly recognized as the optimal model for health care delivery, particularly for those facing life--altering medical treatments. It is essential to develop effective strategies to enhance this partnership. Health information technology (IT)-mediated tools offer the potential to overcome constraints in health care delivery limited by provider time, complicated health information, and financial pressures. Significant gaps in knowledge exist on the use of health IT tools using low- cost and well- accepted delivery platforms in routine inpatient care, especially for high- risk or critically ill populations. We hypothesize that a tablet--based tool displaying personal health information could provide a platform to promote caregiver activation and enhance health communication.