DERICK is an acronym for “Distributed eHealth Resource Information Center Kiosk.” A long name, but what it does is provide personalized information about health risks and access to care. It is part of Duke University Medical Center’s population health management effort, which uses technology to improve health and wellness in the community.
Dr. David Lobach was part of the design team for Derick. He directs the clinical informatics program at Duke University Medical Center.
“Derick had a predecessor which was actually a very lengthy health history, but we found that just took too long and wasn’t convenient,” he said. “So we really honed it down to just focus on barriers to accessing care and health risks that could be modified.”
With just a few questions, the computer program can determine language preference, education and literacy level, and even how comfortable the user is in using a computer. Based on that information, the remaining questions are formatted to make it easy to use and easy to understand.
“It’s quite comprehensive and very easy,” said Kevin Fallon, kiosk user
Fallon stood for about four minutes at the machine and even got a few informational printouts to take home. Printouts may include information on community resources, like transportation help or local doctors who take Medicare. All based on the answers provided by the patient.
“On average, patients are printing three brochures or handouts to take away from the kiosk,” said Lobach. “So I feel that we are enabling the patients, helping them get the information that they need to better manage their own health care.”
Lobach says that patients may choose to remain anonymous or to identify themselves with a Medicaid ID number. That allows the network to update clinic case workers of any specific concerns for the user.
Durham Regional Hospital is one of four locations in Durham County where the Dericks are located. Other locations and counties include:
- Lincoln Community Health Center
- Duke Family Medicine Center
- the Durham County Department of Social Services.
Vance County:
- Maria Parham Medical Center
- Vance Family Medicine
- Vance County Department of Social Services
Warren County:
- Vance-Warren HealthCo.,Inc.
- Warren County Health Department
- Warren County Department of Social Services
Lobach anticipates placing kiosks in locations in Person and Granville Counties by April. Each unit costs about $5,000 and Lobach estimates the annual cost of maintaining the units to be around $15,000. The project was funded by a grant through the U.S. Health Resource and Services Administration’s Office for the Advancement of Telehealth.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Julie Henry
Quelle/Source: NBC 17, 29.01.2008
