We’re excited to announce that The Christie NHS Foundation Trust has deployed CardMedic across the organisation to help reduce health inequalities for cancer patients! The app will help bridge communication gaps that exist between clinicians and patients, caused by things such as cognitive impairments and language barriers. It’s the first time our app is being used in a specialist cancer setting, so we’re very excited about this.
When we spoke to Bethany Allen, Digital Nurse Implementer at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, she said that the app will do amazing things to improve patient experience, especially as many of their patients do not speak English as their first language. She also tells us that the app helps reassure clinicians and staff that they are communicating effectively with patients – which is of upmost importance in cancer care.
It’s always inspiring to see our customers finding new uses cases for the app. Pharmacists at The Christie have been using CardMedic to discuss medication with patients, highlighting the many ways it can support different health professionals in their daily activities, and put patients at ease.
You can read the news story as it was covered in Digital Health, Building Better Healthcare, UK Authority, Oncology News Today, and Zenopa. Or you can see it right here…
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust deploys CardMedic to redcue health inequalities for cancer patients
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust has become the first specialist cancer Trust to deploy CardMedic, the award-winning healthcare communications app. The deployment will enable the Trust to bridge communication gaps that exist between clinicians and patients, caused by things such as cognitive impairments and language barriers, reducing health inequalities for cancer patients.
The Christie provides care to patients from across Greater Manchester and beyond, and as a result it serves a very diverse population.
“Many of our patients do not speak English as their first language, and some cannot speak English at all,” said Bethany Allen, Digital Nurse Implementer at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
Communicating effectively is crucial in cancer care
“Since using CardMedic, we can be reassured that we are communicating with patients effectively and sensitively, which is essential in cancer care.”
CardMedic has been deployed across the entire Trust. Following an engagement programme, the solution is now being used by 100 nurses, doctors and pharmacists across the hospital’s four sites – Withington, Salford, Oldham and Macclesfield.
The technology is being used during ward rounds and throughout clinical shifts, when interpreters or multi-lingual staff are not available. Beth explained: “Having this tool means we can safely and effectively talk with patients with additional communication needs when an interpreter isn’t available. It means that we can deliver the same standard of care that we do to our English-speaking patients, or those that don’t have additional communications needs.”
Using the CardMedic chat function
Initially the technology was made available for nurses, but new use cases have since been identified by the Trust within pharmacy.
“Our pharmacists don’t generally work with translators, as they are normally supporting ward rounds,” said Beth.
“Pharmacists have been using CardMedic to discuss medications with patients, which has transformed their relationship. They can use the chat function within the app to answer any questions that patients might have about a certain medication, and it’s really putting patients at ease.”
The Trust has also been working with CardMedic to co-create content for its flashcard library, developing specific oncology scripts so patients who would otherwise struggle to communicate can be informed about their treatment.
“Receiving treatment for cancer is a very profound and unfamiliar experience, so it’s very important that patients feel reassured,” Beth explained.
Encouraging engagement with digital champions
The Trust has deployed digital champions within nursing teams to encourage uptake of the solution.
Beth said: “Engagement isn’t mandatory, like it is with some technologies like electronic patient records, which can make it more difficult to get clinicians to engage. Having superusers on the wards has really helped encourage more people to use it.”
Dr Rachael Grimaldi, Chief Executive at CardMedic, said: “I’m delighted that CardMedic is helping to improve access to care for more patients at The Christie. The new use cases the trust has found is a testament to how innovative and forward thinking the team is, all the while putting patients first. The Christie already delivers exceptional cancer care, and I’m overjoyed that CardMedic can be a part of the story!”
Find out how CardMedic can help your organisation to improve communication with patients by trying out the app for free!