A sense of belonging: A meta‐ethnography of the experience of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receiving care through telemedicine

Abstract

Aim To synthesize the qualitative research in the literature addressing how patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease experience care received by telemedicine. Design Meta‐ethnography. Data Sources Twelve studies, published from 2013 – 2018, were identified by a search of relevant systematic databases in June 2017, including updated searches performed in June 2018. Review Methods The studies were reviewed and critically appraised independently by three researchers. The review followed the seven steps of meta‐ethnography developed by Noblit and Hare, including a line‐of‐argument synthesis. Results The synthesis revealed three second‐order constructs: presence, transparency, and ambivalence. Using a line‐of‐argument synthesis, a model was developed that showed patients’ experience of a sense of belonging when receiving care by telemedicine. Conclusion This meta‐ethnography contributes to the existing and contradictory evidence base of telemedicine to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. It addresses and adds renewed understanding of who would benefit from telemedicine and why, by illustrating the interrelationship between the conditions of telemedicine care, the severity of COPD, and the need for connectedness and emphasizes that the need to belong in telemedicine care increases with the progression of illness burden and severity. Impact The present study endorses the view that the patients with a severe illness burden are likely to benefit the most when receiving care by telemedicine. However, the benefits rely on the fact that the telemedicine interventions involve emotional, social, and clinical support, including regular contact with healthcare professionals, to meet the requirements to belong.

Patients’ Experiences of Telehealth in Palliative Home Care: Scoping Review

“…The finding that the use of video-based technology enhances communication and care is supported by previous reviews [55,56]. In line with a meta-ethnography on the experience of telehealth in patients with COPD [57], visual features using video images contributed to experiences of closeness, despite the remote contact. Although patients seem to highly value the use of telehealth, many simultaneously underline the importance and value of the physical presence of health care professionals at their home [58,59].…”

“…Although patients seem to highly value the use of telehealth, many simultaneously underline the importance and value of the physical presence of health care professionals at their home [58,59]. This may be especially important for those with limited social networks or poor social relations [2,57,59]. In addition, it may be more challenging to create a trusting relationship remotely than in person [8], and a caring touch, which patients in need of palliative care may appreciate [2], is impossible with remote contact.…”

MicroRNA‐497 functions as an inflammatory suppressor via targeting DDX3Y and modulating toll‐like receptor 4/NF‐κB in cigarette smoke extract‐stimulated human bronchial epithelial cells

“…1,2 The incidence and mortality of COPD are increasing progressively year by year. 4 The diagnosis and treatment of COPD is still based on simple clinical measures, such as symptoms, the level of airflow limitation, the extent of deterioration, and so on. 4 The diagnosis and treatment of COPD is still based on simple clinical measures, such as symptoms, the level of airflow limitation, the extent of deterioration, and so on.…”

“…3 According to report by the World Health Organization in 2017, COPD is anticipated to be the third largest death causes by 2030. 4 The diagnosis and treatment of COPD is still based on simple clinical measures, such as symptoms, the level of airflow limitation, the extent of deterioration, and so on. 5 The use of medication can only temporarily relieve symptoms.…”

Telemedicine in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a possible transition to the patient independence

“…It seems that patients with more severe diseases are likely to benefit the most. But all this depends on the modality of involving the emotional and social of the patient and on the clinical support (with regular contact with the health care provider and professionals meeting the requirements of the patients) (12). Helping the self-management of patients by giving patients large access to COPD web (13) is another possible way using new digital technology.…”