PAUSE-Preventing medication complications during AcUte illness through Symptom Evaluation and sick day guidance

Summary

Diabetes, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with high morbidity and costs of care. Effective medications exist to reduce long-term complications, but during acute illness, some of these medications are associated with risks that can lead to preventable emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
These drug-related adverse events are also associated with poor outcomes including extended hospital stays and death. Current guidelines recommend that such medications be temporarily held during an acute illness. Unfortunately, many patients are not aware of these recommendations. It is often pharmacists and physicians who would inform patients to make these changes.
The purpose of the study is to address this clinical gap in patient awareness and knowledge on managing acute illnesses, we plan to co-design a remote, individualized, and comprehensive mobile application for Preventing medication complications during AcUte illness through Symptom Evaluation and sick day guidance (i.e. the PAUSE App).
The PAUSE App will be a timely, contactless, alternative, and innovative means of providing continuity of care to patients with chronic medical conditions.
This project will be guided by a “person-centered approach” where patients will be involved at every step of the process to ensure the resulting electronic health (eHealth) intervention is relevant, usable and accessible to those who need it most.