Half the time spent for the same quality

Streamlined ADHD follow-up with self-monitoring

To meet the needs of a rapidly growing group of patients with ADHD, the general psychiatric clinic at Södra Älvsborg Hospital has implemented a digital transformation that has yielded significant results in a short period of time. By introducing self-monitoring with the support of digital tools, the time required for follow-up of ADHD patients has been halved – without compromising the quality of care.

The model has given both healthcare staff and patients greater flexibility and improved accessibility, while optimising the use of resources.

Category

Region

Where?

Sweden

Service

Specialist care

‘The time spent on reception visits has been roughly halved compared to before. We have been able to increase the number of visits from around 1,400 to over 2,000 per year, while the total visit time has decreased.’

Jonna Järvsén, Head of Care Unit, Psychiatry Department, Södra Älvsborg Hospital (SÄS)

Fast-growing patient group drives development in adult psychiatry

The general psychiatric clinic at Södra Älvsborg Hospital in the Västra Götaland region has undergone a transformation in recent years to meet the needs of a rapidly growing patient group while ensuring good and equal care. The clinic has 55 employees and is responsible for approximately 2,500 patients, with the largest and fastest-growing group being people with ADHD – a group that is increasing by 20–25 per cent per year. A large proportion are young adults who are transitioning from child and adolescent psychiatry (BUP). Currently, 11 per cent of 14-year-olds in the catchment area have an ADHD diagnosis, and continued growth in the number of patients is therefore to be expected in adult psychiatry as well.

Resource-intensive follow-up

Most ADHD patients are on medication, which requires six-monthly follow-ups with tests, efficacy evaluations and side effect assessments. Previously, these follow-ups required physical appointments lasting 45–60 minutes per patient – an unsustainable burden given the increasing patient volume and other patient groups that need healthcare resources.

‘We realised that we would not be able to meet the need using traditional working methods. The follow-ups of ADHD patients alone risked taking up half of the doctor’s resources,’ says Jonna.

Healthcare personnel and quality

●  Time savings for healthcare staff: the time spent on clinic visits has been roughly halved compared to before. The clinic has been able to increase the number of visits from 1,400 to over 2,000 per year, while reducing the total time spent on visits.

● Fewer no-shows: Digital reminders prior to appointments and easier digital appointments for patients have resulted in fewer cancelled appointments, leading to more efficient use of healthcare staff time.

Patient benefit

●  Increased accessibility without the need to take time off work or school.

●  Greater flexibility and the ability to perform measurements at home

●  High level of participation and acceptance of the method.

The implementation of self-monitoring has enabled the clinic to meet the needs of a rapidly growing patient group while maintaining quality, improving accessibility and using resources more efficiently.