An Mhealth Hybrid App for Self-Reporting Pain Measures for Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

The utilization of acute health care and readmission rates among sickle cell disease patients are very high and are associated with significant health care costs and disparities. Mobile technology can help assess adherence to therapeutic interventions in sickle cell disease and other pain syndromes, and decrease barriers to continuity of care (i.e., limited hospital access, travel difficulties). However, it is unclear whether this technology can improve monitoring of patients' clinical outcomes (pain, anxiety, fatigue, mobility). In this paper we report on an ongoing project to utilize web and mobile technology to monitor clinical outcomes for patients with sickle cell disease. We share preliminary results of pilot studies using the technology for pediatric patients, and describe our current efforts to reduce hospital readmission rates.