TAP-HC-DM is a feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving various pieces of intervention and their interactions to form a complex adaptive system. The purpose of the trial is to assess the effectiveness of the intervention not only through evaluating patient outcomes, but also through understanding the process of implementation and its fidelity to core elements.
The trial will be conducted within the McMaster Family Health Team (MFHT) in Hamilton, Ontario. The MFHT consists of two sites, with approximately 30,000 patients, as well as 30 family physicians, 70 family medicine residents, 10 nurse practitioners and other healthcare professionals.
Initial lists of potential participants will be created using an algorithm based on the inclusion criteria that will be run on the clinics' electronic medical records systems, with manual chart audits completed afterwards on an as-needed basis. The family physicians will then be asked to vet this list for further exclusion criteria. Patients from the list will then be sent a package including an invite letter from their family physician and a consent form.
Participants who have consented, will receive a welcome call from volunteers who will then provide detailed description of the program and expectations. The clients will then be invited to sign up for McMaster Personal Health Record (PHR) and asked to complete the modules (Diabetes, Hypertension, Sleep, Exercise, Nutrition, Medications, PHR) on the Healthy Lifestyle app. After completion of the modules, participants will receive a report and suggested tip sheets based on their responses. Volunteers as health connectors will connect with clients weekly, providing motivation, education, tech support, and community connections. The healthcare teams at the clinics will also receive the report and will triage it in their weekly huddles. Any follow-up recommended by the clinics will be communicated to volunteers who will then work with clients on the given recommendations, or directly to patients.
