Using KomPas+ in the Treatment of Patients With Intermittent Claudication

KomPas+ is a guideline-based clinical decision support system. With KomPas+, the aim is to integrate KomPas with the guideline recommendations for the conservative treatment process of patients with intermittent claudication. KomPas+ is a web-based tool, aimed to facilitate person-centered and participatory healthcare. Therapists have access to a tool that will help, for example, to improve consistency between patient-specific goals and the treatment plan. Using KomPas+, therapists are encouraged to discuss choices in the treatment plan with the patient. It is expected that the included topics in KomPas+ will not be burdensome for both patients and therapists. Topics to discuss are, for example, Frequency, Intensity, Time and Type (FITT) for drawing up a training schedule. KomPas+ is meant to facilitate therapists and patients in the SDM process. It does not force patients to take part in the SDM process against their will.

KomPas is an online tool showing personalized outcome forecasts. These forecasts have been developed using real-world data of patients with intermittent claudication for physiotherapists in daily practice. The forecasts visualize the estimated outcome of supervised exercise therapy (walking distance and quality of life), for an individual patient with intermittent claudication. The information provided is based on patients similar to the individual patient from a large database. The actual outcome data of these similar patients are used to create an individual forecast. KomPas plots the estimated therapy outcome in time, thereby making personalized outcome forecasts. The forecasts are not used to direct the choices of treatment, but to motivate the patient, monitor the treatment process and to set realistic goals.