Feedback on the transition to routine use of Connexin, a tool to improve city-hospital cooperation

Abstract

Abstract Issue The French national health strategy “Ma Santé 2022” underlines the need to decompartmentalize the organization of care through city-hospital cooperation. The Connexin® platform aims, as part of treatments prescribed in hospitals and delivered in community, to identify all health professionals around the patient, and ensure they communicate and coordinate with each other to improve the coherence and relevance of care within the pathway. Description of the problem A pilot phase of deployment of the tool was conducted in two regions to measure the organizational and clinical impact of its use. This evaluation was based on qualitative interviews with the various stakeholders (local pharmacists, hospital teams, institutional partners, etc.). The objective was to assess the adoption and transition phases while identifying its effects and added value for health professionals using it. Results Adherence was important: many pharmacists registered, reflection on the service organization in hospital teams. Despite some access problems (codes lost, dual authentication), professionals believe Connexin® facilitates communication between primary care and hospital actors. However, transition was difficult in several hospitals (lack of support from management mainly), insufficient use by pharmacists (hampered by the new missions entrusted to them by law). Support closest to professionals in the tool implementation thus seems crucial to ensure transition to routine use. Lessons Connexin® is a secure, intuitive platform adapted to health professionals’ needs for cooperation. Mobilization of the various actors around the platform proves the interest for and the relevance of such a tool to optimize the efficiency of care. However, the organizational impact, no matter how small, is a barrier to the transition to routine use, a finding shared for many tools. Key messages While the platform was designed by primary, hospital and institutional health professionals, the study points out the need to set up a project governance and appropriate support during implementation. Any organization impact is an obstacle to the evolution of practices.