Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies
Date Submitted: Oct 5, 2022
Date Accepted: Jul 17, 2023
People with COPD prefer lasting Individualized rehabilitation services combining virtual and in-person contact: Qualitative study.
ABSTRACT
Background:
Studies have shown that services based on Telehealth which includes components of education, as well as rehabilitation initiatives can support the self-management of individuals living with COPD. It can improve the role and significance of virtual vs. physical interactions and how a focus on the clinical condition vs. rehabilitation contributes to the experienced health and well-being.
Objective:
This study aimed to investigate how individuals living with COPD experience their care, and what impact services including telehealth and rehabilitation programs have on the individuals’ self-management and well-being.
Methods:
Two rounds of semi-structured interviews with a total of 15 participants. The individuals were all affiliated with a research project led by the telehealth initiative Epital Health. In the first interview which included 11 participants, seven received the telemedicine service provided by Epital Health, three individuals were participating in a 12-week COPD program provided by their respective municipality, and one individual did not receive any supplementary service besides their usual care. In the second interview, which included four participants, all participants had at one point received the telemedicine service and participated in a municipality-based rehabilitation program. Analysis of the interviews was based on a deductive coding of a codebook surrounding four themes 1) Health-related Support, 2) Digital context, 3) Self-management and 4) Well-being. A content analysis was used.
Results:
Medical and emotional support from healthcare professionals is a key aspect of care for individuals with COPD. Acute treatment with at-home medicine, monitoring own condition through technology, and having easy access and close contact with Health care professionals familiar to them, promotes self-management, well-being, and a feeling of security. Having regular meetings with a network of peers and health care professionals, provides education, support, and tools to cope with the condition and improve own health. Furthermore, group-based activity motivates and increases the activity level of the individuals. There is a tendency to re-attend or want to re-attend time-limited rehabilitation programs, to maintain achieved benefits. More emphasis is placed on the importance of the therapeutic and medical elements of care compared to factors such as technology. Technology can even act as a barrier in care because technology can prove difficult for some.
Conclusions:
Our interview study demonstrated that both physical and virtual services were preferred to include a personal understanding and support from Health care professionals as well as peers with the same diagnosis. Future service should be a combination of virtual and physical services providing lasting medical and social support across allied healthcare professionals and peers with the same diagnosis, considering personal preferences and skills. Clinical Trial: Not Applicable
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