Assessing digital tools for patient cohort identification

Identifying and understanding different patient cohorts is essential for improving health outcomes. A data tool is a digital solution used to collect, manage, analyse, and communicate data. Within healthcare and the NHS, a data tool may support clinical decision-making, public health monitoring, research or operational efficiency.

Several data analysis digital tools can analyse data to identify specific patient groups—such as patients with chronic kidney disease who are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is currently no single solution capable of capturing all patient cohorts.

This project has encompassed an ‘Understand phase’ to review existing tools that are available and outline their capabilities and limitations. The review highlighted where there are gaps in our understanding of different patient cohorts that need to be addressed. A toolkit was produced outlining the findings and outputs, including:

A tool Specification Framework that clearly outlines the key deliverables of an ‘all encompassing’ tool
A ‘proof of value’ horizon scan for CVRM tools, to test how well the digital tools operate in the real world
A tool Assessment Framework, designed as a companion to the Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (the minimum criteria a tool must meet to be adopted by the NHS) to be used as a starting point to assess existing digital tools.

There will also be an opportunity to consider the feasibility of developing the ‘optimal’ digital tool to support health prevention work across Greater Manchester, with the possibility to engage with the Greater Manchester Population Health Management roadmap.