The ORACLE Heart Study - British Heart Week

The ORACLE heart study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, is an exploratory study that allows patients with possible angina to be assessed in a new way. Using advances in healthcare technology patients can commence their assessment at home. Patients complete a digital questionnaire using the Tailored Talks platform to provide heart specialists with information about their symptoms and risk factors for heart disease prior to arriving in hospital. This and the availability of high sensitivity heart blood tests that can be measured with a finger prick, alongside personalised tracings of a patient's heart. 

During our 6 month pilot from July to December 2024, 227 patients were referred onto the Tailored Talks platform. 73.6% of these successfully registered. Patient demographics were 50:50 male and female, from every point of the SIMD2020 scale and from a broad range of age groups, with the largest (39.2%) being over 65 years. Whilst a higher platform uptake would have been preferable, with a sample group largely in their 60s and 70s we would have expected at least 1 in 3 to choose a non-digital option (Age UK, 2024). This percentage was consistent across different risk groups and out of that group, all were able to complete the questionnaire.  

Most patients reported that the system was easy to use. Evaluation of those who didn't register is still taking place, however, qualitative feedback has suggested that some preferred using paper questionnaires and others reported challenges in agreeing to the terms and conditions on Tailored Talks, using a mobile device. The design of this feature and the communications around the digital pathway will be evaluated ahead of future work to ensure that digital user numbers are increased.  

This new assessment process has been shown to identify those at immediate risk of heart attacks and find patients that need urgent same day assessment. Through improving the triage process, this new way of working has the potential to improve efficiency within healthcare and most importantly to save lives.  

It has been great to work with the Pogo Digital Healthcare team on such an exciting and innovative project, and I'll be back in touch next year, once the full report is out.