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O'Hanlon CE, Barnard JM, Rose DE, Stockdale SE, Chang ET, Yano EM, Ganz DA. Dissemination, adaptation, and uptake of patient-facing materials to improve care coordination in primary care. PEC innovation. 2025 Jun 1; 6:100386, DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2025.100386.
Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects. OBJECTIVE: We sought to improve patients' experience of care coordination by promoting the uptake of patient-facing tools with evidence of sustained use in Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care clinics. We disseminated tools, adapted and improved tools in response to feedback, and tracked real-world uptake. METHODS: We conducted outreach to leadership and frontline providers at local, regional, and national levels. We collaborated with frontline providers and veteran patients using human-centered design approaches to guide tool adaptation. We assessed dissemination and real-world uptake through website analytics and QR code tracking. RESULTS: Tools included paper pamphlets that explained care processes, provided contact information, and answered frequently asked questions. Feedback resulted in use of larger fonts; pictures and colors; less dense text; and QR codes. Discussions led to development of new tools addressing current challenges coordinating care with VA-paid community providers. We observed substantial uptake ( > 2000 tool page views, > 3000 QR code accesses). CONCLUSION: Simple patient-facing tools are valuable to patients and frontline providers as evidenced by voluntary uptake despite competing demands. INNOVATION: Tools with evidence of sustained uptake were adapted to address current challenges with navigating care and care coordination among VA and non-VA providers. QR codes enabled tracking of real-world uptake.
