Shared care, AI and app enabled management tools: What does the nursing profession really think?
And insight for developers and the tech world.
An interview with Ashleigh Tropp, Community Paediatric Nurse, Ealing District
Written by Libi Stein, EatMoreFruit Communications
Community healthcare is the backbone of the NHS, accounting for 13 per cent of daily activities and reaching over 200,000 people each day. Much of this care supports individuals managing long-term conditions such as diabetes, chronic wounds, and neurological disorders.
Yet community healthcare professionals are under immense pressure. A Royal College of Nursing survey found that 82 per cent of nurses reported not having enough time to provide the level of care they aspire to, with 47per cent noting that care has been compromised due to time constraints.
So how can the healthcare system ease this burden without compromising quality? One promising answer lies in shared care models – a dynamic approach that brings patients into the care process as informed, active participants. We spoke with Ashleigh Tropp, a Community Paediatric Nurse, about the role of communication in transforming care through shared responsibility.
Redefining the Care Relationship
The role of the patient is changing. No longer passive recipients of treatment, patients today are increasingly seen as collaborators in their health journeys.
“Shared care is about partnership,” Ashleigh explains. “It’s not about replacing professional support, but about giving patients the confidence, clarity, and tools to take an active role in managing their conditions.”
At its core, shared care requires clear expectations, mutual understanding, and open dialogue. When done well, it improves adherence, fosters trust, and leads to better clinical outcomes. Ashleigh has seen it in action: “In our community, shared care has empowered families dealing with diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, and wound management to take more control at home — which improves outcomes and optimises resources.”
Communication as a Care Tool
Libi Stein
Empowering patients isn’t only about providing tools — it’s about making sure they understand how and why to use them. This is where communication and patient support materials becomes pivotal.
“We can’t be there 24/7 to walk patients through every decision,” Ashleigh notes. “That’s why it’s essential to provide support materials that are clear, accessible, and practical. Patients need guides they can refer to, videos they can watch, or apps that offer reminders and reassurance. Having these tools and resources are essential for shared care to thrive.”
At EatMoreFruit Communications, we’ve seen firsthand how targeted communication resources can drive real impact. By co-creating toolkits, how-to guides, and awareness campaigns with healthcare teams, we translate complex clinical information into everyday language that empowers patients — and supports clinicians to better manage remotely.
Digital Tools and Connected Conversations
Technology has opened new possibilities for shared care — but its power lies in how it connects people and information.
Ashleigh recounts a case: “I worked with a teenager recently diagnosed with diabetes. We introduced a mobile app that tracked insulin levels and flagged patterns. Within weeks, the patient felt more in control and more engaged with their treatment.”
Digital platforms are doing more than tracking data — they’re enabling ongoing, two-way communication between patients and care teams. From real-time updates to remote monitoring, the ability to exchange information instantly helps providers adjust care while keeping patients informed and confident.
However, shared care still faces barriers:
- Compliance: Patients need ongoing reinforcement to stay engaged.
- Awareness: Educating patients about the benefits and responsibilities of shared care.
- Accessibility: Digital literacy and tech access remain uneven.
All of these challenges, at their heart, are communication challenges — and they demand communication solutions.
Strategic Support for Behaviour Change
“Behaviour change doesn’t happen with good intentions alone,” says Ashleigh. “It requires structured support, consistent reinforcement, and messages that speak directly to people’s daily lives.”
That’s why strategic messaging — through posters, animated explainers, onboarding packs, and patient apps — plays a vital role. When patients truly understand their role and feel supported in it, they’re more likely to engage, follow through, and ask questions.
At EatMoreFruit, we work closely with our clients to develop impactful materials, such as implementation toolkits, guides, and awareness campaigns that inform and empower both patients and professionals. By translating complex clinical information into practical, user-friendly content, we help bridge the gap between care delivery and patient understanding.
Looking Ahead: AI and the Next Chapter of Shared Care
As technology advances, the future of shared care will go beyond self-management and remote access. Artificial intelligence is set to play a transformative role — from predicting health flare-ups to guiding treatment plans. Furthermore, by linking AI data on adherence, clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction, health professionals can pinpoint which shared-care strategies work best—and replicate their success. Or conversely look at dips in compliance so materials can be developed to address such factors.
Ashleigh is optimistic: “AI will help personalise care even further and provide greater access to information. We are already seeing how chatbots can answer routine health questions, clarify dosing schedules, and offer motivational nudges for our patients. From our side, I can see AI becoming an integral part in clinical decision-making, from synthesising latest guidelines and relevant patient case studies which will really help to inform individual decision making.”
Conclusion: Shared Care Starts with Shared Communication
At its core, shared care is a communication model as much as it is a care model. It calls for new ways of listening, informing, and engaging patients and healthcare professionals.
Whether through educational how-to guides, mobile apps or emotive films, effective communication ensures that patients are not just included — they are empowered. And in doing so, healthcare becomes not only more efficient, but more human.
Want to co-create tools that actually empower patients and support healthcare professionals?
