IT Tools

LTC and respiratory IT support systems

There is a growing number of IT tools available to support both clinicians and local commissioners to manage the care of people with respiratory disease. GRASP-COPD is an example of such tool, aiming to support both COPD case-finding as well disease management. Many more exist including tools that support risk-stratification or software providing guided consultation for clinicians.

The East of England Respiratory SCN (Strategic Clinical Network) and PCRS-UK (Primary Care Respiratory Society UK) have collaborated to compile a list of currently available tools, which provide commissioners and clinicians with an overview and summary of their characteristics; What do they provide? Who sponsors them? What do they cost? Are they compatible with my practice system? What outcomes do they deliver? Where can I find more information? This overview is now available and aims to support your decision making around the use of these tools and whether and how they can support respiratory care in your area.

Versions will be updated regularly. For more information or addition/changes, please contact the EoE Respiratory SCN team via www.eoescn.nhs.uk

This resource can help you:

• Be aware of the range of IT tools available to help you manage respiratory patients
• Compare different tools which perform the same function e.g. guided consultations, risk profiling
• Find out which tools have a good evidence base behind them
• Check out which are embedded within practice computer screens
• Find out whether they are freely available or for a fee
• Make contact with the providers of the tools for more information