JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

While home telemonitoring is a promising approach for patients managing their chronic disease, rehabilitation using home telemonitoring has not been tested for use with individuals living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) residing in disparity communities.

Objective:

This study analyzed qualitative data from focus groups with key stakeholders to ensure the acceptability and usability of the telemonitoring COPD intervention.

Methods:

We utilized a community-based participatory research approach to adapt a home telemonitoring COPD intervention to facilitate acceptability and feasibility in low- income African-American and Hispanic patients. The study engaged community stakeholders in the process of modifying the intervention in the context of five Community Advisory Board meetings. Discussions were audio recorded and professionally transcribed and lasted approximately two hours each. Structural coding was used to mark responses to topical questions in interview guides.

Results:

We describe herein the formative process of a community-based participatory research study aimed at optimizing telehealth utilization among African American and Latino patients with COPD from disparity communities. Five major themes emerged from qualitative analyses of community discussions: equipment changes, recruitment process, study logistics, self-efficacy and access. The identification of themes were instrumental in understanding the concerns of patients and other stakeholders in adapting the pulmonary rehabilitation home intervention for maximum efficacy for patients from disparity communities with COPD.

Conclusions:

These findings identify important adaptation suggestions from the stakeholder perspective that should be considered when implementing in-home pulmonary rehabilitation via telemonitoring for underserved COPD patients. Clinical Trial: NCT03007485; ClinicalTrials.gov (US National Institutes of Health)