Adherence and acceptance of a home-based telemonitoring application used by multi-morbid patients aged 65 years and older

Abstract

Introduction Currently, there are only a small number of comprehensive study results on adherence and acceptance of telemonitoring applications (TMAs) regarding multi-morbid older patients. The ATMoSPHAERE study aimed to develop an information and communication platform for an intersectoral networking of, for example, general practitioners, therapists, social services and the multi-morbid older patient. Methods The study presented was designed as a longitudinal bicentric intervention study which focused on multi-morbid patients aged ≥65 years using home-based telemedical measurement and input devices. The development and testing of this TMA aimed to optimise patients’ health care through intersectoral networking of all treating actors. Quantitative methods of data collection and analysis were used. Results Patients who completed the study were significantly younger than drop-outs and non-participants. The mental health of study patients significantly improved between the beginning and end of TMA use. The main reason for non-participation in the study was the high time expenditure when participating in the study. No perceived (information) benefits for health and insufficient content variety were the main reasons for drop-out. Appropriateness and handling of TMAs must be aligned with the needs of the heterogeneous user group of multi-morbid patients in order to increase acceptance and the added value of TMAs. Telemonitoring hardware should be oriented on functional capabilities of the older target group. Telemonitoring software content requires an individual, disease-specific approach for patients. The TMA should be unobtrusively integrated into usual daily life and be used to an appropriate extent according to the underlying disease in order to avoid stressing patients. With regard to adherence concerning TMAs, it is crucial to provide a contact person who is always available for patients having problems handling TMAs. Health concerns and questions can thus be addressed early, providing a feeling of safety in the care process. Discussion User acceptance of TMAs is an essential indicator and driver for use and for future implementation efforts in health care. In order to achieve maximum user centricity in development processes, patients must be involved as experts, co-designers and future users, considering their needs and perceptions.

Telemedicina con telemonitorización en el seguimiento de pacientes con COVID-19

“…La estrategia que combina telemedicina y seguimiento proactivo ha sido bien aceptada por los pacientes (solo 2 no dieron su consentimiento y hubo un alta voluntaria). Al contrario de lo que sucede en otras enfermedades, el seguimiento se completó sin grandes problemas en la mayoría de los enfermos [16][17][18][19] . Entendemos que una adherencia tan alta está influida por diferentes factores: instalación y uso sencillos, tiempo de seguimiento (mediana 11 días) breve o la situación excepcional de estado de alarma en el momento del estudio.…”

Remote monitoring of oxygen saturation in individuals with COVID-19 pneumonia

“…However, given the scope of this report, patient confidence or satisfaction was not formally assessed. Nevertheless, in this cohort of patients, there was excellent adherence, which can be a surrogate for patient acceptance [ 7 ]. Indeed, the median number of measurements per day was 3.9 in the group which did not require readmission and 5.7 in those readmitted, both higher than 97% adherence [ 7 ].…”

“…Nevertheless, in this cohort of patients, there was excellent adherence, which can be a surrogate for patient acceptance [ 7 ]. Indeed, the median number of measurements per day was 3.9 in the group which did not require readmission and 5.7 in those readmitted, both higher than 97% adherence [ 7 ]. This may have been aided by the minimal inputs needed and the acute aspect of this illness compared to the difficulties and challenges noted in compliance with remote monitoring in chronic diseases [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Health-related quality of life in elderly, multimorbid individuals with and without depression and/or mild cognitive impairment using a telemonitoring application

“…After confirmation of having understood the use of the TMA, the care process started. More detailed description of the telemedicine care process for participants has already been described in a previously published paper [52].…”

“…More detailed information on the demographic data of the study participants can also be found in previously published papers [52,57].…”