Argumentation-based Decision Support for Patient Self-Management

The provision of health care to people with chronic conditions and multiple morbidities is a growing challenge as the proportion of the UK population suffering from such conditions is increasing. Multiple morbidities can result in conflicts between different clinical practice guidelines used to treat each disease, interactions between diseases and their treatments, and confusing advice. Research has established that involving patients in the management of their own chronic conditions has long-term health benefits. Advances in low-cost sensor technologies make it practical and easy for patients to collect a wide range of health and wellness data without direct clinical supervision, including blood pressure, heart rate and activity. The use of tablets and smart phone technologies to provide targeted decision support and advice can assist patients as they self manage their conditions by leveraging the updated sensor data to refine any recommendations made in conjunction with the relevant clinical practice guidelines.