Effectiveness and feasibility of a software tool to help patients communicate with doctors about problems they face with their medication regimen (EMPATHy): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Low-income, Mexican-American patients with diabetes exhibit high rates of medication nonadherence, poor blood sugar control and serious complications, and often have difficulty communicating their concerns about the medication regimen to physicians. Interventions led by community health workers, non-professional community members who are trained to work with patients to improve engagement and communication during the medical visit, have had mixed success in improving outcomes. The primary objective of this project is to pilot test a prototype software toolkit called "EMPATHy" that a community health worker can administer to help patients identify the most important barriers to adherence that they face and discuss these barriers with their doctor.

Methods/design

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SUBMITTER: Billimek J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4409752 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature