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ScarPath

Twinning solution

Digital pathway for standardized scar assessment

Twinning type

Knowledge exchange

Main policy priority

Better data to promote research, disease prevention and personalised health and care

Originator

Oscare (Belgium)

Adopter(s)

Centre de Rééducation Motrice du Dr. STER (France)

Short description

ScarPath is a user-friendly digital tool for scar assessment that could also be used in the follow-up of scar treatment, and therefore, enables a better treatment outcome and data gathering for universal scar evaluation (as no standardized assessment protocols are available within this field of research so far). The scientific importance and novelty is that ScarPath leads to a standardized data collection of highly relevant and valid scar measures.
Aiming at data collection at scale to advance research, disease prevention and evidence-based therapy in scar treatment, it allows researchers and other professionals to pool resources (data (data, expertise, computing processing and storage capacities) in large pragmatic trials across the EU on objective scar outcome measures, scar patient-reported outcome measures and scar treatment.
The adopter is especially interested in the automated data collection, data management and data analysis together with the possibility to exchange or pool data with other clinical/research centres. Thus, the twinning action can be the first step to discuss a concrete solution for standardized data collection in scar research.

News

Twinning activities

At the beginning of the twinning, an agenda for the project was drafted. Frequent video conferences took place between the originator team and the adopter team. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the planned visit to Centre STER in Lamalou-Les-Bains, France, was cancelled. The trip was replaced by a further video conference.

Outcomes

ScarPath was demonstrated to the adopters’ team and a separate test account with login details was provided, so that the adopters were able to use the software themselves. All changes necessary to adjust ScarPath to the adopters’ needs were recorded. The adopters started testing ScarPath among care givers before involving the patient. They were trained by the originators via video conference. One of their remarks was that ‘distance training’ slowed down the process and still left the adopters with unanswered questions. The adopters also simulated a series of assessments to evaluate the data extraction and visual representation of the results. The adopters were very positive about these options which was also their main reason to participate in this project. The implementation of the digital care pathway towards patients made clear that digital literacy is still an important issue in the transfer of digital health technologies. Older patients had more difficulties with the automatic reminders and the interaction with the virtual assistant, while younger patients preferred this method above paper questionnaires.

Added value and benefits

The most important expected added value from the twinning was finding a solution for standardised data collection and data pooling for scar research projects. However, this was only partially realised. We were able to record the specific local needs to adapt the solution to local/regional requirements, but due to a long period with a loss of contact, we could only superficially evaluate whether the implementation met up to the adopters’ expectations. Regular on-site visits could empower the realisation of the implementation process.

Barriers and success factors

Both parties must be fully committed and ambitious to make the twinning a success and should also be able to assign a dedicated researcher to the project. Distant communication and limited travel opportunities created barriers for the twinning.

Outlook

Centre STER (adopter) will continue to test ScarPath in their research and daily work and help to improve the fit of this tool into the specific situation in France. In 2021, Centre STER will decide whether they will acquire ScarPath and collaborate with Oscare (originator) to implement more scientific research around scar treatments. If they decide to acquire ScarPath, Centre STER will help to promote ScarPath in the rest of France.

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