A patient-centered tablet-based consultation approach improves therapeutic outcomes

E-tools can be used for treatment, diagnostics, education and training

Advances in mobile technology, sensors and artificial intelligence provide many new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities, said Professor Stojan Bajraktarov, Skopje, North Macedonia, and their implementation and adoption have been accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DIALOG+ — a patient-centered approach to improve therapeutic outcomes

DIALOG+ is a tablet-based approach developed at Queen Mary University of London, UK, to ensure all patient-physician consultations are therapeutically effective. Its use has been shown to be beneficial and to improve quality of life.^1–4

DIALOG+ is informed by quality-of-life research and enables the physician and patient to sit opposite each other and interact as the patient rates their satisfaction on a scale from 1 to 7 for eleven domains as follows, said Professor Bajraktarov:

• Eight subjective quality-of-life domains — mental health, physical health, job situation, accommodation, leisure activities, partner/family, friendships, and personal safety — which also enable patients to discuss problems, such as finance and sexual function
• Three treatment-related domains related to outcomes — medication, practical help, meetings with clinicians⁵ 

The patient is asked if they need help in any of the domains.

The patient then identifies the three domains they consider to be most important for further discussion during the consultation, which centers on the following four topics in turn for each domain:

• Understanding
• Looking forward
• Considering options
• Agreeing on actions

For each topic the patient is asked why the domain is important for them and then encouraged and empowered to develop solutions to address their own specific needs.⁶

Patients are encouraged to adopt a solution-based approach to address their specific needs

The same process is followed for each consultation so the patient’s progress can be followed and compared over time by both the physician and the patient.

The European Commission has now provided funding for the implementation of DIALOG+ in five low and middle-income countries in South Eastern Europe to improve functioning, quality of life and mental health outcomes for patients with psychosis,⁷ said Professor Bajraktarov.