Abstract: Designing for Dissemination of an Electronic Health Record Linkage Method: Stakeholder Perceptions of an Animated Explainer Video

◆ Jenna Reno, University of Colorado Denver
◆ Bethany Kwan, University of Colorado Denver
◆ Chan Voong, University of Colorado Denver
◆ Toan Ong, University of Colorado Denver

Background: The advancement of translational data science could benefit from the dissemination of methods for the design of materials to communicate value propositions and scale-up use of novel healthcare informatics tools. Record linkage (RL) refers to the technical and analytic methods for effectively and securely matching patient records from multiple distinct health systems and data platforms. Adoption of RL methods among investigators allows testing of novel hypotheses using secondary health data from multiple sources. To support future adoption of the RL methods developed, it is important to communicate the value of the methods and systems for using the methods to potential users. “Designing for Dissemination” refers to processes undertaken during planning, development, and evaluation of an innovation to increase potential for future uptake in real-world practice. Dissemination planning steps include identifying audiences, messaging, packaging, and communication channels. With support from PCORI, we are engaging stakeholders in developing effective messages for conveying the value of RL methods to promote future adoption of RL methods and ensure transparency in how patient data are used in research.

Method: We designed an animated explainer video to communicate the value of RL methods and platforms to technical, researcher, and data governance audiences. The phases in designing dissemination materials included: 1) message development, 2) animation prototyping, 3) video development, and 4) message testing. To accomplish message testing, we recruited key stakeholders representing potential adopters of CURL (e.g., data scientists, computer programmers, researchers, and health data decision-makers) to view the video and complete a survey. Survey items measured their current needs for RL methods/solutions, perceptions of the style and content of the information presented in the video, and interest in adopting CURL. Additionally, the same stakeholders were interviewed using customer discovery to inform dissemination planning through the identification of value propositions and other resources needed to support adoption of CURL.

Findings: In the survey (N=18), >70% of participants indicated the video was clear, interesting, straightforward, and relevant to their work. Additionally, 72.2% agreed or strongly agreed that the video “provided the level of information detail needed for you to want to look further into CURL.” Preliminary interview results (N=21)suggest value propositions surrounding CURL’s ability to standardize the process for sharing data and to establish best practices for probabilistic matching.

Implications: The planning phase is a key step in designing for dissemination of healthcare interventions and research methodologies. It is essential to identify early in a project who are potential adopters (audiences) and what messages are relevant to those audiences. For instance, future efforts will entail the creation of a different video with more patient-centered content and language about RL methods needed for patient audiences. Disseminating best practices and techniques for RL has the potential to leverage the existence of ever-growing repositories of secondary data to support patient-centered health outcomes research.