A Digital Health Advisor to Meet the Health Needs of Patients with Chronic Conditions and the Frail Elderly

This project will identify and convey the needs and preferences of people with multiple chronic conditions, the frail elderly, and their caregivers and the potential for digital health services to meet those needs. Over a 12-week period, GravityTank, a Bay Area design firm with well-established expertise on health-related early-stage product development, will interview care managers, “shadow” 12 patients and their caregivers in the home, map workflow, and identify needs and preferences amenable to a “digital health advisor,” or DHA. The project team will generate “use cases” that clarify requirements for a DHA and functionality desired by users. It is expected that products from this project will motivate and guide stakeholders who could be instrumental in bringing about a DHA, including entrepreneurs, policymakers, health care system leaders, and patient advocates.