JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The occurrence of exacerbations has major effects on the health of people with COPD. Monitoring devices that measure (vital) parameters, hold promise for timely identification and treatment of exacerbations. Stakeholders’ perspectives on the use of monitoring devices are of importance for the successful development and implementation of a device.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore the potential use and value of a wearable monitoring bracelet (MB) for patients with COPD at high risk for an exacerbation. Perspectives of healthcare professionals as well as patients were examined, both immediately after hospitalization and over a longer period. Furthermore, potential facilitators and barriers to the use and implementation of an MB were explored.

Methods:

Data for this qualitative study were collected from January to April 2023. Two semi-structured online focus groups were conducted; one with healthcare professionals (HCPs) of various professional backgrounds (n=5) and one with patients (n=2). Additionally, three semi-structured individual interviews were held with patients. The interviews and focus groups addressed attitudes, wishes, needs, as well as factors that could either support or impede the potential MB use. Data from interviews and focus groups were coded and analysed according to the principles of the framework method.

Results:

HCPs and patients both predominantly emphasized the importance of an MB in terms of promptly identifying exacerbations by detecting deviations from normal (vital) parameters, and subsequently alerting users. According to HCPs, this is how an MB should support the self-management of patients. Most participants did not anticipate major differences in value and use of an MB between the short-term and the long-term periods after hospitalization. Facilitators of the potential use and implementation of an MB that participants highlighted were ease of use and some form of support for patients in using an MB and interpreting the data. HCPs as well as patients expressed concerns about potential costs as a barrier to use and implementation. Another barrier that HCPs mentioned, was the prerequisite of digital literacy for patients to be able to interpret and react to the data from an MB.

Conclusions:

HCPs and patients both recognize that an MB could be beneficial and valuable to patients with COPD at high risk for an exacerbation, in the short as well as the long term. In particular, they perceived value in supporting self-management of patients with COPD. Stakeholders would be able to utilize the obtained insights in support of the effective implementation of MBs in COPD patient care, which can potentially improve health care and the overall well-being of patients with COPD.