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BMC Health Services Research

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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Comparison of patient perceptions of Telehealth-supported and specialist nursing interventions for early stage COPD: a qualitative study

Authors: Deborah A. Fitzsimmons, Jill Thompson, Claire L. Bentley, Gail A. Mountain

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

The increasing prevalence and associated cost of treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is unsustainable, and focus is needed on self-management and prevention of hospital admissions. Telehealth monitoring of patients’ vital signs allows clinicians to prioritise their workload and enables patients to take more responsibility for their health. This paper reports the results of a qualitative study embedded within a feasibility and pilot Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of Telehealth-supported care within a community-based COPD supported-discharge service. The aim of the study was to qualitatively explore the experiences of patients with COPD who had received either a Telehealth-supported or a specialist nursing intervention following their discharge from hospital after an admission for a COPD exacerbation.

Methods

Patients were invited to either participate in semi-structured interviews or to complete a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire on completion of the intervention. Nine patients were interviewed (67 % female) and seventeen patients completed the questionnaires. In addition, three clinicians responsible for the delivery of both interventions were interviewed to obtain their perspectives on the new services.

Results

Seven underlying themes emerged from the patient interviews and were further explored in the questionnaires: (1) patient demographics; (2) information received by the participants; (3) installation of the Telehealth technology; (4) Telehealth service functionality; (5) visits; (6) service withdrawal; and (7) service perceptions. Recipients of both services reported feelings of safety derived from the delivery of an integrated, community-based service.

Conclusions

Although recipients of the Telehealth service received 50 % fewer home visits from the clinicians than recipients of a more traditional community-based nursing intervention, the patients were enthusiastic about the service, with some describing it as the best service they had ever received. This suggests that a Telehealth intervention is an acceptable alternative to a more traditional home nursing visit model for monitoring community-based patients with COPD following their discharge from hospital.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN68856013

Available only for authorised users

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Title: Comparison of patient perceptions of Telehealth-supported and specialist nursing interventions for early stage COPD: a qualitative study
Authors: Deborah A. Fitzsimmons
Jill Thompson
Claire L. Bentley
Gail A. Mountain
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1623-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Comparison of patient perceptions of Telehealth-supported and specialist nursing interventions for early stage COPD: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

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