Digital health aid has human touch
NHS chiefs say system helps patients in their homes
A groundbreaking text messaging system – inspired by 19th century nursing heroine Florence Nightingale – is being used to help support people with depression and/or anxiety in Lanarkshire.
The Florence Simple Telehealth text messaging system, or ‘Flo’ for short, was named after Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, for its human touch.
Flo has already been used to support patients living with a variety of conditions, including heart failure. In those instances, heart failure patients are equipped and taught how to self-monitor details such as weight and blood pressure. The patient then texts readings to an automated system which has been programmed by specialist nurses.
The system replies accordingly with advice and information. Crucially, it can assist the nurse to identify flare-ups at the earliest stage. From healthy hearts, Flo is now being used to enhance an eight -week programme focusing on healthy minds.
“In November 2014 we introduced Beating the Blues, a computerised Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT),” explained Diane Reilly of NHS Lanarkshire.
“CBT is a psychological therapy that works on the relationships between thoughts, behaviours and feelings. CBT teaches individuals how to recognise and tackle problems, here and now rather than in the past.
“Face-to-face CBT has been used for many years to treat depression, but the digital therapy has enabled a much larger patient group to access this clinically proven treatment. Patients have been be able to access the treatment, which comes in the form of a computerbased, online course, from a range of different locations such as their own home or a local library, and at a time that suits them.”
Diane continued: “Flo has been used recently to support the programme by sending a series of texts to patients. It sends information like reminders when a certain aspect of the therapy has to be started and encouragement when a module of the therapy has been completed.
“Flo is also being used to send recaps about key learning points of the therapy to reiterate practical steps people can take to deal depression and/or anxiety throughout the day. For example, Flo might send someone a message like ‘Don’t forget to do something pleasurable during the week – even if it is an effort.’”
Diane added: “We’ve found the programme is suitable for patients who don’t like the idea of talking therapies or prefer the anonymity which a computerised treatment offers – and that Flo has been able to enhance the package of support by offering a that personalised aspect.”
Following the integration of health and social care on April 1, a focus in both North and South Lanarkshire is providing the right care, at the right time and in the right place.
Harry Stevenson, chief officer of South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Telehealth is a vital component of the transformation of health and care delivery. Telehealth can support people to feel safe and more confident in their everyday life. Importantly it promotes independence and our commitment to promote self management as much as possible.”
GPS are able to refer patients to the programme. Self-referrals are not available at this point.
The digital therapy has enabled a much larger patient group to access this