A Web-Based Social Network Tool (GENIE) for Supporting Self-management Among High Users of the Health Care System: Feasibility and Usability Study

Background Primary care providers are well positioned to foster self-management through linking patients community-based health and social services (HSSs). This study evaluated a web-based tool—GENIE (Generating Engagement in Network Involvement)—to support the of adults. GENIE empowers leverage their personal networks increase access HSSs. maps patients’ networks, elicits preferences, filters local HSSs from community service directory based on patient’s interests. Trained volunteers (an extension primary team) conducted home visits surveys related life goals context Health TAPESTRY (Teams Advancing Patient Experience: Strengthening Quality) program, which tool was implemented. reports were uploaded an electronic medical record for planning by team. Objective aims explore patients’, volunteers’, clinicians’ perceptions feasibility, usability, perceived outcomes GENIE—a community-dwelling adults who high users system. Methods involved 2 clinician focus groups 1 interview (n=15), volunteer group (n=3), patient telephone interviews (n=8), field observations that captured goal-action sequences complete GENIE, utilization statistics. The enrolled program—Health TAPESTRY—and Ontario’s Links Program, coordinates highest NVivo 11 (QSR International) used qualitative data analyses feasibility outcomes, descriptive statistics quantitative data. Results Most participants reported positive overall GENIE. However, testing showed had partial understanding tool; facilitation critical implementation GENIE; clinicians navigation ability as superior supported volunteers; completion took 39 minutes, made visit too long some. Usability challenges included difficulties completing some sections terminology unclear instructions, limitations quality quantity results, minor technological challenges. Almost all identified program or activity interest. Half (4/8, 50%) followed up added new members network, whereas participant lost member. Clinicians’ strengthened needs, felt less isolation. Conclusions demonstrated potential when volunteers, expand link them relevant Volunteers require training implement support, may help overcome time faced clinicians. Refining filtering capability address adults’ needs improve providers’ confidence using such tools.