Uptake of telehealth implementation for COPD patients in a high-poverty, inner-city environment: A survey

Long-Term Usage and Improved Clinical Outcomes with Adoption of a COPD Digital Support Service: Key Findings from the RECEIVER Trial

Purpose

Digital tools may improve chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management, but further evidence of significant, persisting benefits are required. The RECEIVER trial was devised to evaluate the Lenus COPD support service by determining if people with severe COPD would continue to utilize the co-designed patient web application throughout study follow-up and to explore the impact of this digital service on clinical outcomes with its adoption alongside routine care.

Patients and Methods

The prospective observational cohort hybrid implementation-effectiveness study began in September 2019 and included 83 participants. Recruitment stopped in March 2020 due to COVID-19, but follow-up continued as planned. A contemporary matched control cohort was identified to compare participant clinical outcomes with and minimize biases associated with wider COVID-19 impacts. Utilization was determined by daily COPD assessment test (CAT) completion through the application. Survival metrics and post-index date changes in annual hospitalizations were compared between the RECEIVER and control cohorts. Longitudinal quality of life and symptom burden data and community-managed exacerbation events were also captured through the application.

Results

High and sustained application utilization was noted across the RECEIVER cohort with a mean follow-up of 78 weeks (64/83 participants completed at least one CAT entry on ≥50% of possible follow-up weeks). Subgroup analysis of participants resident in more socioeconomically deprived postcode areas revealed equivalent utilization. Median time to death or a COPD or respiratory-related admission was higher in the RECEIVER cohort compared to control (335 days vs 155 days). Mean reduction in annual occupied bed days was 8.12 days vs 3.38 days in the control cohort. Quality of life and symptom burden remained stable despite the progressive nature of COPD.

Conclusion

The sustained utilization of the co-designed patient application and improvements in participant outcomes observed in the RECEIVER trial support scale-up implementation with continued evaluation of this digital service.

Perceptions of Patients Regarding Mobile Health Interventions for the Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Mixed Methods Study

Background

Using a mobile health (mHealth) intervention consisting of a smartphone and compatible medical device has the potential to enhance chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment outcomes while mitigating health care costs.

Objective

This study aims to describe the demographics, use, and access to smartphones of patients with COPD. It also aims to explore and develop an understanding of potential facilitators and barriers that might influence patients using mHealth interventions for COPD management.

Methods

This was an explanatory, sequential mixed methods study. Patients who attended respirology clinics completed a questionnaire on technology access and use. We conducted semistructured individual interviews with the patients. Interview topics included the following: demographics, mHealth use, perceptions toward challenges of mHealth adoption, factors facilitating mHealth adoption, and preferences regarding features of mHealth interventions for COPD management.

Results

A total of 100 adults completed the survey but 22 participants were excluded because they were not diagnosed with COPD. Of these, 10 patients with COPD participated in the interview. The quantitative component revealed that many patients with COPD owned a mobile phone, but only about one-fourth of the participants (18/77, 23%) owned a smartphone. The likelihood of owning a smartphone was not associated with age, sex, marital status, or geographical location, but patients with high educational status were more likely to own a smartphone. The qualitative component found that patients with COPD, in general, had a positive attitude toward mHealth adoption for COPD management, but several facilitators and barriers were identified. The main facilitators of mHealth adoption are possible health benefits for patients, ease of use, educating patients, and credibility. Alternatively, the barriers to adoption are technical issues, lack of awareness, potential limited uptake from older adults, privacy and confidentiality issues, finances, and lack of interest in mHealth

Conclusions

It is important to understand the perceptions of patients with COPD regarding the adoption of innovative mHealth interventions for COPD management. This study identifies some potential facilitators and barriers that may inform the successful development and implementation of mHealth interventions for COPD management.