Accepted for/Published in: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Date Submitted: Dec 10, 2019
Date Accepted: Jun 14, 2020
Perceptions of patients regarding Mobile Health interventions for the management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: a Mixed Methods Study
ABSTRACT
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 was intended 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 COPD patients using mHealth interventions for COPD management.
Methods:
This was an explanatory sequential mixed methods study. Patients who attended three respirology clinics completed a questionnaire about technology access and use. We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with patients. Interview topics included the following: demographics, mHealth usage, perceptions toward challenges of mHealth adoption, factors facilitating mHealth adoption, and preferences regarding features of the mHealth intervention for COPD management.
Results:
A total of 100 adults completed the survey. Of those, 10 patients with COPD participated in the interview. The quantitative component revealed that many COPD patients owned a mobile phone, but only about a quarter of the participants, 18/77 (23.4%), 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 are more likely to own a smartphone. The qualitative component found that COPD patients, in general, had a positive attitude toward mHealth adoption for COPD management, but several facilitators and barriers were identified.
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. Clinical Trial: NA
Citation
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