Effects of care management and telehealth: a longitudinal analysis using medicare data

Predictive performance and impact of algorithms in remote monitoring of chronic conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The use of telehealth interventions, such as the remote monitoring of patient clinical data (e.g. blood pressure, blood glucose, heart rate, medication use), has been proposed as a strategy to better manage chronic conditions and to reduce the impact on patients and healthcare systems. The use of algorithms for data acquisition, analysis, transmission, communication and visualisation are now common in remote patient monitoring. However, their use and impact on chronic disease management has not been systematically investigated.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the use, impact, and performance of remote monitoring algorithms across various types of chronic conditions.

METHODS

A literature search of MEDLINE complete, CINHAL complete, and EMBASE was performed using search terms relating to the concepts of remote monitoring, chronic conditions, and data processing algorithms. Comparable outcomes from studies describing the impact on process measures and clinical and patient-reported outcomes were pooled for a summary effect and meta-analyses. A comparison of studies reporting the predictive performance of algorithms was also conducted using the Youden Index.

RESULTS

A total of 89 articles were included in the review. There was no evidence of a positive impact on healthcare utilisation [OR 1.09 (0.90 to 1.31); P = .35] and mortality [OR 0.83 (0.63 to 1.10); P = .208], but there was a positive effect on generic health status [SDM 0.2912 (0.06 to 0.51); P = .010] and diabetes control [SDM -0.53 (-0.74 to -0.33); P < .001; I² = 15.71] (with two of the three diabetes studies being identified as having a high risk of bias). While the majority of impact studies made use of heuristic threshold-based algorithms (n = 27,87%), most performance studies (n = 36, 62%) analysed non-sequential machine learning methods. There was considerable variance in the quality, sample size and performance amongst these studies. Overall, algorithms involved in diagnosis (n = 22, 47%) had superior performance to those involved in predicting a future event (n = 25, 53%). Detection of arrythmia and ischaemia utilising ECG data showed particularly promising results.

CONCLUSION

The performance of data processing algorithms for the diagnosis of a current condition, particularly those related to the detection of arrythmia and ischaemia, is promising. However, there appears to exist minimal testing in experimental studies, with only two included impact studies citing a performance study as support for the intervention algorithm used. Because of the disconnect between performance and impact studies, there is currently limited evidence of the effect of integrating advanced inference algorithms in remote monitoring interventions. If the field of remote patient monitoring is to progress, future impact studies should address this disconnect by evaluating high performance validated algorithms in robust clinical trials.

A Systematic Review of Primary Care and Payment Models on Emergency Department Use in Patients Classified as High Need, High Cost

INTRODUCTION

Reducing costly and harmful ED use by patients classified as high need, high cost is a priority across health care systems. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of various primary care and payment models on ED use and overall costs in patients classified as high need, high cost.

METHODS

Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a search was performed from January 2000 to March 2020 in 3 databases. Two reviewers independently appraised articles for quality. Studies were eligible if they evaluated models implemented in the primary care setting and in patients classified as high need, high cost in the United States. Outcomes included all-cause and preventable ED use and overall health care costs.

RESULTS

In the 21 articles included, 4 models were evaluated: care coordination (n = 8), care management (n = 7), intensive primary care (n = 4), and alternative payment models (n = 2). Statistically significant reductions in all-cause ED use were reported in 10 studies through care coordination, alternative payment models, and intensive primary care. Significant reductions in overall costs were reported in 5 studies, and 1 reported a significant increase. Care management and care coordination models had mixed effects on ED use and overall costs.

DISCUSSION

Studies that significantly reduced ED use had shared features, including frequent follow-up, multidisciplinary team-based care, enhanced access, and care coordination. Identifying primary care models that effectively enhance access to care and improve ongoing chronic disease management is imperative to reduce costly and harmful ED use in patients classified as high need, high cost.

Impact of a telemonitoring intervention in patients with chronic heart failure in Germany: A difference-in-difference matching approach using real-world data

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a non-invasive telemonitoring intervention on mortality, healthcare costs, and hospital and pharmaceutical utilisation in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) of a large statutory health insurer in Germany.

METHODS

In a retrospective observational cohort study using real-world data, we assessed differences between 635 patients who received a telemonitoring intervention versus 635 receiving usual care covering 36 months after intervention. We used propensity score matching on a set of 102 parameters collected in the 24-month pre-intervention period to correct for observed differences, as well as difference-in-difference (DiD) estimators to account for unobserved differences. We analysed the effect of the intervention for up to three years on (i) all-cause mortality; (ii) costs (i.e. inpatient stays, ambulatory care, pharmaceuticals, and medical aids and appliances); and (iii) healthcare utilisation (i.e. length and number of hospital stays, number of prescriptions).

RESULTS

DiD estimates suggest lower inpatient costs of the telemonitoring group of up to €1160 (95% confidence interval (CI): -2253 to -69) in year three. Ambulatory care costs increased significantly in all three years up to €316 (95% CI: 1267 to 505) per year. Telemonitoring had a positive effect on survival (hazard ratio = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.99) and increased the number of prescriptions for diuretics. Effects were more prominent for patients with severe CHF.

DISCUSSION

The study suggests that the telemonitoring intervention led to a significant decrease in mortality and a shift in costs from the inpatient to the ambulatory care sector 36 months after intervention.

Clinical outcomes of digital sensor alerting systems in remote monitoring: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Advances in digital technologies have allowed remote monitoring and digital alerting systems to gain popularity. Despite this, limited evidence exists to substantiate claims that digital alerting can improve clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to appraise the evidence on the clinical outcomes of digital alerting systems in remote monitoring through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic literature search, with no language restrictions, was performed to identify studies evaluating healthcare outcomes of digital sensor alerting systems used in remote monitoring across all (medical and surgical) cohorts. The primary outcome was hospitalisation; secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay (LOS), mortality, emergency department and outpatient visits. Standard, pooled hazard ratio and proportion of means meta-analyses were performed. A total of 33 studies met the eligibility criteria; of which, 23 allowed for a meta-analysis. A 9.6% mean decrease in hospitalisation favouring digital alerting systems from a pooled random effects analysis was noted. However, pooled weighted mean differences and hazard ratios did not reproduce this finding. Digital alerting reduced hospital LOS by a mean difference of 1.043 days. A 3% mean decrease in all-cause mortality from digital alerting systems was noted. There was no benefit of digital alerting with respect to emergency department or outpatient visits. Digital alerts can considerably reduce hospitalisation and length of stay for certain cohorts in remote monitoring. Further research is required to confirm these findings and trial different alerting protocols to understand optimal alerting to guide future widespread implementation.

Impact of Proactive Integrated Care on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background

Up to 50% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients do not receive recommended care for COPD. To address this issue, we developed Proactive Integrated Care (Proactive iCare), a health care delivery model that couples integrated care with remote monitoring.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, quasi-randomized clinical trial in 511 patients with advanced COPD or a recent COPD exacerbation, to test whether Proactive iCare impacts patient-centered outcomes and health care utilization. Patients were allocated to Proactive iCare (n=352) or Usual Care ( =159) and were examined for changes in quality of life using the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), symptoms, guideline-based care, and health care utilization.

Findings

Proactive iCare improved total SGRQ by 7-9 units (p < 0.0001), symptom SGRQ by 9 units (p<0.0001), activity SGRQ by 6-7 units (p<0.001) and impact SGRQ by 7-11 units (p<0.0001) at 3, 6 and 9 months compared with Usual Care. Proactive iCare increased the 6-minute walk distance by 40 m (p<0.001), reduced annual COPD-related urgent office visits by 76 visits per 100 participants (p<0.0001), identified unreported exacerbations, and decreased smoking (p=0.01). Proactive iCare also improved symptoms, the body mass index-airway obstruction-dyspnea-exercise tolerance (BODE) index and oxygen titration (p<0.05). Mortality in the Proactive iCare group (1.1%) was not significantly different than mortality in the Usual Care group (3.8%; p=0.08).

Interpretation

Linking integrated care with remote monitoring improves the lives of people with advanced COPD, findings that may have been made more relevant by the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Pre-hospital and emergency department pathways of care for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Exacerbations are serious complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that often require acute care from pre-hospital and emergency department (ED) services. Despite being a frequent cause of emergency presentations, gaps remain in both literature and practice for emergency care pathways of COPD exacerbations. This review seeks to address these gaps and focuses on the literature of pre-hospital and ED systems of care and how these intersect with patients experiencing an exacerbation of COPD. The literature in this area is expanding rapidly; however, more research is required to further understand exacerbations and how they are addressed by emergency medical services worldwide. For the purpose of this review, the pre-hospital domain includes ambulance and other emergency transport services, and encompasses medical interventions delivered prior to arrival at an ED or hospital. The ED domain is defined as the area of a hospital or free-standing centre where patients arrive to receive emergent medical care prior to admission. In many studies there is a significant overlap between these two domains and frequent intersection and collaboration between services. In both of these domains, for the management of COPD exacerbations, several overarching themes have been identified in the literature. These include: the appropriate delivery of oxygen in the emergency setting; strategies to improve the provision of care in accordance with diagnostic and treatment guidelines; strategies to reduce the requirement for emergency presentations; and, technological advances including machine learning which are helping to improve emergency healthcare systems.

An Adaptive, Contextual, Technology-Aided Support (ACTS) System for Chronic Illness Self-Management

Policy Points Fundamental changes are needed in how complex chronic illness conditions are conceptualized and managed. Health management plans for chronic illness need to be integrated, adaptive, contextual, technology aided, patient driven, and designed to address the multilevel social environment of patients' lives. Such primary care-based health management plans are feasible today but will be even more effective and sustainable if supported by systems thinking, technological advances, and policies that create and reinforce home, work, and health care collaborations.

CONTEXT

The current health care system is failing patients with chronic illness, especially those with complex comorbid conditions and social determinants of health challenges. The current system combined with unsustainable health care costs, lack of support for primary care in the United States, and aging demographics create a frightening probable future.

METHODS

Recent developments, including integrated behavioral health, community resources to address social determinants, population health infrastructure, patient-centered digital-health self-management support, and complexity science have the potential to help address these alarming trends. This article describes, first, the opportunity to integrate these trends and, second, a proposal for an integrated, patient-directed, adaptive, contextual, and technology-aided support (ACTS) system, based on a patient's life context and home/primary care/work-setting "support triangle."

FINDINGS

None of these encouraging trends is a panacea, and although most have been described previously, they have not been integrated. Here we discuss an example of integration using these components and how our proposed model (termed My Own Health Report) can be applied, along with its strengths, limitations, implications, and opportunities for practice, policy, and research.

CONCLUSIONS

This ACTS system builds on and extends the current chronic illness management approaches. It is feasible today and can produce even more dramatic improvements in the future.

Pharmacist-led telehealth disease management program for patients with diabetes and depression

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to determine whether a pharmacist-led telehealth disease management program is superior to usual care of nurse-led telehealth in improving diabetes medication adherence, haemoglobin A1C (A1C), and depression scores in patients with concomitant diabetes and depression.

METHODS

Patients with diabetes and depression were randomized to pharmacist-led or nurse-led telehealth. Veterans with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, an A1C ≥ 7.5%, diagnosis of depression, and access to a landline phone were invited to participate. Patients were randomized to usual care of nurse-led telehealth or pharmacist-led telehealth. Patients were shown how to use the telehealth equipment by the nurse or pharmacist. In the pharmacist-led group, the patients received an in-depth medication review in addition to the instruction on the telehealth equipment.

RESULTS

After six months, the pharmacist-led telehealth arm showed significant improvements for cardiovascular medication adherence (14.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4 to 27.6), antidepressant medication adherence (26.0; 95% CI 0.9 to 51.2), and overall medication adherence combined (13.9; 95% CI 6.6 to 21.2) from baseline to six-month follow-up. There was a significant difference in A1C between each group at the six-month follow-up in the nurse-led telehealth group (6.9 ± 0.9) as compared to the pharmacist-led telehealth group (8.8 ± 2.0). There was no significance in the change in patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) from baseline to follow-up in both groups.

DISCUSSION

Pharmacist-led telehealth was efficacious in improving medication adherence for cardiovascular, antidepressants, and overall medications over a six-month period as compared to nurse-led telehealth. There was no significant improvement in overall depression scores.

Home Telehealth Interventions for Older Adults With Diabetes

The purpose of this literature review was to explore home telemedicine interventions for the treatment of older adults with diabetes. Eight databases were searched for articles published between 2011 and 2016, in the English language, and in peer-reviewed journals, resulting in 1,274 relevant articles. Following review against inclusion and exclusion criteria, six articles were retained. Studies included participants with a mean age from 68 to 76.8 years and from three different countries, with either Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The articles reviewed suggest that case management, education, closed-loop feedback and communication, home telemonitoring devices or units, and motivational interviewing or coaching can effectively decrease admissions, costs per person per year, mortality, and cognitive decline in older adults with diabetes. The scarcity of high-quality studies is consistent with findings from previous systematic reviews, and highlights the need for additional investigation before applying the results in practice.

Effect of home telehealth care on blood pressure control: A public healthcare centre model

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of home telehealth care combined with case management by public health nurses, in improving blood pressure control in patients with hypertension.

METHODS

This cohort study examined the data of patients with hypertension obtained from a telehealth service centre database, between July 2011- June 2012. Eligible patients were adults (≥40 years old) with both prehypertension and hypertension, living alone or in the remote suburbs of metropolitan areas. Demographic data were collected from 12 district public health centre in Taipei, Taiwan. Following enrolment, patients received an appropriate and validated home telehealth device kit for automatic blood pressure monitoring and automated modem via a telephone line or a desktop computer with Internet connection to enable data transmission between the patient's home and telehealth service centre. Patients were instructed to upload the measured data immediately every day. The study outcomes included blood pressure and home telehealth service utilisation.

RESULTS

Of the 432 patients recruited, 408 (94%) completed data collection. Linear regression analysis found an average 22.1 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure after one year. The mean slope of systolic blood pressure was classified as decreased or non-decreased. An systolic blood pressure decreasing trend was observed in 52.2% patients, while 47.8% patients showed an increasing systolic blood pressure trend. Patients in the decreased systolic blood pressure group tended to be older ( p = 0. 0001), with a greater proportion of hypertension alarms ( p = 0. 001), improved self-blood pressure monitoring behaviour ( p = 0.009) and higher self-measured blood pressure monitoring frequency ( p = 0. 010). Patients in the decreased systolic blood pressure group had a higher self-measured blood pressure monitoring frequency (odds ratio = 0.95, 95% confidence interval, 0.91-0.99, p = 0. 013) than their counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

Home telehealth care combined with care management by public health nurses based in public health care centre was feasible and effective for improving blood pressure control among patients with hypertension. Further studies should conduct a thorough analysis of the cost-effectiveness of this intervention. A randomised controlled trial with a longer follow-up period is required to examine the effects of the improved home telehealth device kit on the care of patients with hypertension.

An evidence-based approach to the use of telehealth in long-term health conditions: development of an intervention and evaluation through pragmatic randomised controlled trials in patients with depression or raised cardiovascular risk

Background

Health services internationally are exploring the potential of telehealth to support the management of the growing number of people with long-term conditions (LTCs).

Aim

To develop, implement and evaluate new care programmes for patients with LTCs, focusing on two common LTCs as exemplars: depression or high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

Methods

Development

We synthesised quantitative and qualitative evidence on the effectiveness of telehealth for LTCs, conducted a qualitative study based on interviews with patients and staff and undertook a postal survey to explore which patients are interested in different forms of telehealth. Based on these studies we developed a conceptual model [TElehealth in CHronic disease (TECH) model] as a framework for the development and evaluation of the Healthlines Service for patients with LTCs.

Implementation

The Healthlines Service consisted of regular telephone calls to participants from health information advisors, supporting them to make behaviour change and to use tailored online resources. Advisors sought to optimise participants’ medication and to improve adherence.

Evaluation

The Healthlines Service was evaluated with linked pragmatic randomised controlled trials comparing the Healthlines Service plus usual care with usual care alone, with nested process and economic evaluations. Participants were adults with depression or raised CVD risk recruited from 43 general practices in three areas of England. The primary outcome was response to treatment and the secondary outcomes included anxiety (depression trial), individual risk factors (CVD risk trial), self-management skills, medication adherence, perceptions of support, access to health care and satisfaction with treatment.

Trial results

Depression trial

In total, 609 participants were randomised and the retention rate was 86%. Response to treatment [Patient Health Questionnaire 9-items (PHQ-9) reduction of ≥ 5 points and score of < 10 after 4 months] was higher in the intervention group (27%, 68/255) than in the control group (19%, 50/270) [odds ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 to 2.5;p = 0.02]. Anxiety also improved. Intervention participants reported better access to health support, greater satisfaction with treatment and small improvements in self-management, but not improved medication adherence.

CVD risk trial

In total, 641 participants were randomised and the retention rate was 91%. Response to treatment (maintenance of/reduction in QRISK®2 score after 12 months) was higher in the intervention group (50%, 148/295) than in the control group (43%, 124/291), which does not exclude a null effect (odds ratio 1.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.9;p = 0.08). The intervention was associated with small improvements in blood pressure and weight, but not smoking or cholesterol. Intervention participants were more likely to adhere to medication, reported better access to health support and greater satisfaction with treatment, but few improvements in self-management.

The Healthlines Service was likely to be cost-effective for CVD risk, particularly if the benefits are sustained, but not for depression. The intervention was implemented largely as planned, although initial delays and later disruption to delivery because of the closure of NHS Direct may have adversely affected participant engagement.

Conclusion

The Healthlines Service, designed using an evidence-based conceptual model, provided modest health benefits and participants valued the better access to care and extra support provided. This service was cost-effective for CVD risk but not depression. These findings of small benefits at extra cost are consistent with previous pragmatic research on the implementation of comprehensive telehealth programmes for LTCs.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN14172341 (depression trial) and ISRCTN27508731 (CVD risk trial).

Funding

The National Institute for Health Research Programme Grants for Applied Research programme.

What is the impact of systems of care for heart failure on patients diagnosed with heart failure: a systematic review

Background

Hospital admissions for heart failure are predicted to rise substantially over the next decade placing increasing pressure on the health care system. There is an urgent need to redesign systems of care for heart failure to improve evidence-based practice and create seamless transitions through the continuum of care. The aim of the review was to examine systems of care for heart failure that reduce hospital readmissions and/or mortality.

Method

Electronic databases searched were: Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, grey literature, reviewed bibliographies and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for randomised controlled trials, non-randomised trials and cohort studies from 1^st January 2008 to 4^th August 2015. Inclusion criteria for studies were: English language, randomised controlled trials, non-randomised trials and cohort studies of systems of care for patients diagnosed with heart failure and aimed at reducing hospital readmissions and/or mortality.

Three reviewer authors independently assessed articles for eligibility based on title and abstract and then full-text. Quality of evidence was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for non-randomised trials and GRADE rating tool for randomised controlled trials.

Results

We included 29 articles reporting on systems of care in the workforce, primary care, in-hospital, transitional care, outpatients and telemonitoring. Several studies found that access to a specialist heart failure team/service reduced hospital readmissions and mortality. In primary care, a collaborative model of care where the primary physician shared the care with a cardiologist, improved patient outcomes compared to a primary physician only. During hospitalisation, quality improvement programs improved the quality of inpatient care resulting in reduced hospital readmissions and mortality. In the transitional care phase, heart failure programs, nurse-led clinics, and early outpatient follow-up reduced hospital readmissions. There was a lack of evidence as to the efficacy of telemonitoring with many studies finding conflicting evidence.

Conclusion

Redesigning systems of care aimed at improving the translation of evidence into clinical practice and transitional care can potentially improve patient outcomes in a cohort of patients known for high readmission rates and mortality.

Home-Based Telemanagement in Advanced COPD: Who Uses it Most? Real-Life Study in Lombardy

Current evidence indicates that the benefits of tele-health may not be uniform across all patients. Therefore, to understand what specific variables influence use of home-based telemanagement in COPD, we conducted this retrospective study.  A 6-month home-based telemanagement program (HTP) was offered to 1,074 COPD patients over a 4-year period. Multivarible linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of HTP use/week (phone calls and specialist consultations) among all variables: clinical (body mass index, co-morbidities, HTP prescription not following an exacerbation, long-term oxygen therapy use, COPD severity, hospital readmissions, exacerbations and death), socio-demographic (sex, age, place of abode), smoking history, arterial blood gases (ABG), and specialist/general practitioner (GP) urgent need. Logistic regression was conducted to predict relapses/hospitalizations risk as well as the disease impact (COPD Assessment Test, CAT) at the end of the program.  Presence of relapses (p < 0.001), ABGs (p < 0.001) and GP request (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher HTP-use. Smoking history (OR 1.542 [IC 95% 1.069-2.217], p = 0.020), specialist (OR 2.895 [2.144-3.910], p < 0.001) and GP consultations (OR 6.575 [4.521-9.561], p < 0.001) were the only independent risk factors for relapse. No predictor of hospitalization was found. High final CAT score was inversely related to oxygen therapy use (p = 0.001) and HTP prescription (p < 0.001), and positively related to presence of co-morbidities (p = 0.001) and baseline CAT (p < 0.001).  This HTP in Lombardy shows that relapsers, people requiring several ABGs and urgent GP visits are the patient subgroup most likely to consume telemanagement services (scheduled and unscheduled). We propose a patient 'identikit' to improve prioritization for HTP prescriptions.

Impact of a Telehealth and Care Management Program on All-Cause Mortality and Healthcare Utilization in Patients with Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Telehealth has the potential to improve chronic disease management and outcomes, but data regarding direct benefit of telehealth in patients with heart failure (HF) have been mixed. The objective of this study was to determine whether the Health Buddy Program (HBP) (Bosch Healthcare, Palo Alto, CA), a content-driven telehealth system coupled with care management, is associated with improved outcomes in Medicare beneficiaries with HF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of 623 Medicare beneficiaries with HF offered HBP enrollment compared with a propensity score-matched control group of Medicare beneficiaries with HF from the Medicare 5% sample. Associations between availability of the HBP and all-cause mortality, hospitalization, hospital days, and emergency department visits were evaluated.

RESULTS

Beneficiaries offered enrollment in the HBP had 24.9% lower risk-adjusted all-cause mortality over 3 years of follow-up (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-0.89; p = 0.001). Patients who used the HBP at least once (36.9%) had 57.2% lower mortality compared with matched controls (HR = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.31-0.60; p < 0.001), whereas patients who did not use the HBP had no significant difference in survival (HR = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.78-1.19; p = 0.69). Patients offered the HBP also had fewer hospital admissions following enrollment (Δ = -0.05 admissions/quarter; p = 0.011), which was primarily observed in patients who used the HBP at least once (Δ = -0.10 admissions/quarter; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The HBP, a content-driven telehealth system coupled with care management, was associated with significantly better survival and reduced hospitalization in Medicare beneficiaries with HF. Prospective study is warranted to determine the mechanism of this association and opportunities for optimization.

TElehealth in CHronic disease: mixed-methods study to develop the TECH conceptual model for intervention design and evaluation

OBJECTIVE

To develop a conceptual model for effective use of telehealth in the management of chronic health conditions, and to use this to develop and evaluate an intervention for people with two exemplar conditions: raised cardiovascular disease risk and depression.

DESIGN

The model was based on several strands of evidence: a metareview and realist synthesis of quantitative and qualitative evidence on telehealth for chronic conditions; a qualitative study of patients' and health professionals' experience of telehealth; a quantitative survey of patients' interest in using telehealth; and review of existing models of chronic condition management and evidence-based treatment guidelines. Based on these evidence strands, a model was developed and then refined at a stakeholder workshop. Then a telehealth intervention ('Healthlines') was designed by incorporating strategies to address each of the model components. The model also provided a framework for evaluation of this intervention within parallel randomised controlled trials in the two exemplar conditions, and the accompanying process evaluations and economic evaluations.

SETTING

Primary care.

RESULTS

The TElehealth in CHronic Disease (TECH) model proposes that attention to four components will offer interventions the best chance of success: (1) engagement of patients and health professionals, (2) effective chronic disease management (including subcomponents of self-management, optimisation of treatment, care coordination), (3) partnership between providers and (4) patient, social and health system context. Key intended outcomes are improved health, access to care, patient experience and cost-effective care.

CONCLUSIONS

A conceptual model has been developed based on multiple sources of evidence which articulates how telehealth may best provide benefits for patients with chronic health conditions. It can be used to structure the design and evaluation of telehealth programmes which aim to be acceptable to patients and providers, and cost-effective.

The empirical foundations of telemedicine interventions for chronic disease management

The telemedicine intervention in chronic disease management promises to involve patients in their own care, provides continuous monitoring by their healthcare providers, identifies early symptoms, and responds promptly to exacerbations in their illnesses. This review set out to establish the evidence from the available literature on the impact of telemedicine for the management of three chronic diseases: congestive heart failure, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. By design, the review focuses on a limited set of representative chronic diseases because of their current and increasing importance relative to their prevalence, associated morbidity, mortality, and cost. Furthermore, these three diseases are amenable to timely interventions and secondary prevention through telemonitoring. The preponderance of evidence from studies using rigorous research methods points to beneficial results from telemonitoring in its various manifestations, albeit with a few exceptions. Generally, the benefits include reductions in use of service: hospital admissions/re-admissions, length of hospital stay, and emergency department visits typically declined. It is important that there often were reductions in mortality. Few studies reported neutral or mixed findings.

Technologies as support tools for persons with autistic spectrum disorder: a systematic review

This study analyzes the technologies most widely used to work on areas affected by the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Technologies can focus on the strengths and weaknesses of this disorder as they make it possible to create controlled environments, reducing the anxiety produced by real social situations. Extensive research has proven the efficiency of technologies as support tools for therapy and their acceptation by ASD sufferers and the people who are with them on a daily basis. This article is organized by the types of systems developed: virtual reality applications, telehealth systems, social robots and dedicated applications, all of which are classified by the areas they center on: communication, social learning and imitation skills and other ASD-associated conditions. 40.5% of the research conducted is found to be focused on communication as opposed to 37.8% focused on learning and social imitation skills and 21.6% which underlines problems associated with this disorder. Although most of the studies reveal how useful these tools are in therapy, they are generic tools for ASD sufferers in general, which means there is a lack of personalised tools to meet each person's needs.

Advanced technology care innovation for older people in Italy: necessity and opportunity to promote health and wellbeing

Even though there is a constant and accelerating growth of the aging population worldwide, such a rapid rise is negatively impacting available home and community services not able to encompass the necessities associated with the increased number of older people. In particular, there are increasing demands on e-health care services and smart technologies needed for frail elders with chronic diseases and also for those experiencing active aging. Advanced Technology Care Innovation for older persons encompasses all sectors (assistive technology, robotics, home automation, and home care- and institution-based healthcare monitoring, telemedicine) dedicated to promoting health and wellbeing in all types of living environments. Considering that there is a large concern and demand by older persons to remain in familiar social living surroundings, study projects joined with industries have been currently initiated, especially across Europe to improve health and wellbeing. This article will highlight the latest updates in Europe and, in particular in Italy, regarding scientific projects dedicated to unraveling how diverse needs can be translated into an up-to-date technology innovation for the growing elder population. We will provide information regarding advanced technology designed for those with specific geriatric-correlated conditions in familiar living settings and for individuals aging actively. This is an important action because numerous emerging developments are based on user needs identified by geriatricians, thus, underlining the indispensable role of geriatric medicine toward future guidelines on specific technology.