Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
2019
Department
Nursing
Abstract
Background: Technology-based interventions that can function within real-world practice and improve outcomes without increasing provider burden are needed, yet few successfully cross the research-to-practice divide. This paper describes the process of developing a clinically-integrated smartphone-telemedicine program for adults with asthma and results from proof-of-concept testing.
Methods: To ensure integration with practice, we used a contextually-grounded intervention development approach and May's implementation theory to design the intervention, with emphasis on systems capabilities and stakeholder needs. The intervention incorporated symptom monitoring by smart phone, smartphone telemedicine visits and self-management training with a nurse, and clinical decision support software, which provided automated calculations of asthma severity, control, and step-wise therapy. Seven adults (aged 18-40) engaged in a 3-month beta-test. Asthma outcomes (control, quality of life, FEV1) and healthcare utilization patterns were measured at baseline and end-of-study.
Results: Each participant received an average of 4 telemedicine visits with 94% patient satisfaction. All participants had uncontrolled asthma at baseline; by end-of-study 5/7 classified as well controlled. Mean asthma control improved 1.55 points (CI=0.59-2.51); quality of life improved 1.91 points CI=0.50-3.31), and FEV1 percent predicted increased 14.86% (CI=-3.09-32.80) with effect sizes of d=1.16, 1.09, and 0.96, respectively. Preventive healthcare utilization increased significantly (1.86 visits/year vs. 0.28/year prior, CI 0.67-2.47) as did prescriptions for controller medications (9.29 refills/year vs. 1.57 refills/year, CI 4.85-10.58)
Conclusion: Smartphone telemedicine may be an effective means to improve outcomes and deliver asthma care remotely. However, careful attention to systems capabilities and stakeholder acceptability is needed to ensure successful integration with practice.
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Mammen, J. R., Java, J. J., Halterman, J., Berliant, M. N., Crowley, A., Frey, S. M.,…Arcoleo, K. (2019). Development and preliminary results of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR)-integrated smartphone telemedicine program to deliver asthma care remotely. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X19870025
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X19870025
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