Using Telehealth to Educate Parkinson's Disease Patients About Complicated Medication Regimens

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) primarily affects older adults, who manage their symptoms with complex medicine regimens. This mixed-methods study evaluated the usefulness and usability of follow-up telehealth medication counseling with a sample of community-based PD patients. Patients taking three or more medications for Parkinson's disease were randomly assigned to the teaching modalities of videophone or telephone. A self-care standardized medication educational session lasting 20 to 30 minutes was conducted, and patient and nurse usefulness of the intervention was evaluated by responses to a 15-question Likert scale and elicited comments. Patients' satisfaction with the intervention involved patterns of time, education, and technology. Videophone users were more satisfied with the equipment and counseling. Videophones were considered easy access to supportive, expert neuroscience nurses. Overall, videophone counseling sessions were significantly more useful than the telephone sessions (t[34] = 0.896, p = 0.004, 95% confidence interval = 1.90 to 3.12). Nurses found visualization via videophone significantly more useful for medication and self-management interactions.

Impact of a nurse led telephone intervention on satisfaction and health outcomes of children with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and their families: a crossover randomized clinical trial

“…In this study, satisfaction was the most positively impacted outcome showing that children with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and their family were appreciative of the support and information provided by the Telenursing nurse. These results are consistent with other studies performed mainly in the adult population suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, chronic pulmonary disease, heart failure, complex endocrinology patients or Parkinson’s disease, where Telenursing had a positive impact on several outcomes, including satisfaction [13, 29–33, 36–39]. Telehealth in the pediatric population has been less studied so far, but satisfaction and patient’s perception have been investigated.…”

The past, present, and future of telemedicine for Parkinson's disease

“…Within PADRECCs, video telehealth programs have existed for over 10 years. 25,80 Services include new patient consultations and follow-up care, DBS pre-and postoperative evaluations, patient and caregiver educational programs, and provider-to-provider consultations. These programs have largely utilized live video encounters with local VA outpatient centers, but, more recently, have included video visits with patients in their homes.…”

Impact of a Telenursing service on satisfaction and health outcomes of children with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and their families: a crossover randomized trial study protocol

“…TN has been used in different ways, settings, and purposes. A comprehensive search of the literature revealed numerous articles related to TN: on triage [45-48]; state and national help lines [49-51]; follow-up of specific health conditions such as pregnancy [52,53]; post-operative care [54,55]; medication adherence [56,57]; and chronic illness [58-60]. Most studies concerned adults, but some also involved pediatrics.…”