The intervention was built on 4 pillars, or conceptual domains,
that were derived from patient and caregiver feedback
obtained from earlier qualitative investigations regarding those
factors that would be most valuable to them during care transitions.1
The 4 pillars included (1) assistance with medication
self-management, (2) a patient-centered record owned and maintained
by the patient to facilitate cross-site information transfer,
(3) timely follow-up with primary or specialty care, and
(4) a list of “red flags” indicative of a worsening condition and
instructions on how to respond to them. The 4 pillars were operationalized
through the following 2 mechanisms designed to
encourage older patients and their caregivers to assert a more
active role during care transitions and to foster care coordination
and continuity across settings: (1) a personal health record
and (2) a series of visits and telephone calls with a transition
coach