eHealth Partnered Evaluation Initiative - Evaluation of the Initial Deployment of VA's Annie Texting System (AnnieEval)

VA Office of Research and Development

Status: Completed

Conditions: Hepatitis C

Treatments: Other: Annie text messaging system; Other: Annie text messaging system with Augmented implementation; Other: Annie text messaging system with Usual implementation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other U.S. Federal agency; Other

Identifiers

NCT03898349

PEX 19-001

Details and patient eligibility

About

Conduct a rigorous formative evaluation of the initial deployment of the Annie texting system across several pilot test sites and from these findings, develop and test an augmented implementation strategy to facilitate more rapid adoption of Annie across VA.

Full description

The investigators examined patient and provider experiences with VA's automated text messaging system, named "Annie". The investigators aimed to describe early experiences using Annie and subsequently pilot and evaluate an augmented implementation strategy to improve implementation of the system. Then, seven new facilities implemented Annie. The investigators focused on specialty clinics serving patients with hepatitis-C virus (HCV). Working in collaboration with clinical team members and other Office of Connected Care stakeholders, the investigators developed a texting protocol for Veterans with HCV that included motivational messages, medication and lab appointment reminders. This protocol was made available to the seven new facilities. Four facilities were randomized to serve as intervention sites to receive augmented implementation strategy. These facilities had regular facilitation calls, a site visit to assist with implementation, and were given the toolkit, in addition to receiving usual implementation assistance, described below. An additional three comparison sites received usual implementation of Annie only, which involves an orientation/training meeting and the option of attending twice-monthly Annie clinical adoption calls run by the Office of Connected Care. Two control sites did not receive Annie. The investigators conducted a mixed-methods evaluation including pre and post patient and provider surveys and semi-structured interviews, medical chart abstraction, and process measure analysis. The investigators collected data on patient and clinician experiences with the Annie system, including usability, clinical workflow fit, and clinical benefits such as improved HCV medication adherence and rates of appropriately timed lab tests.

Enrollment: 750 patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Starting HCV treatment at a VA clinic
• Have access/ability to text messaging

Exclusion criteria

• Not being treating for HCV
• No access/ability to use a cell phone

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Factorial Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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750 participants in 2 patient groups

Non-Texters

No Intervention group

Description:

Patients did not receive the automated text messaging system "Annie"

Texters

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients received the Annie text messaging system for patient self-management of HCV treatment including medication, lab, and appointment reminders, and motivational messages.

Treatment:

Other: Annie text messaging system

Other: Annie text messaging system with Usual implementation

Other: Annie text messaging system with Augmented implementation