Abstract
BackgroundUsing a mobile health (mHealth) intervention consisting of a smartphone and compatible medical device has the potential to enhance chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment outcomes while mitigating health care costs.ObjectiveThis study aims to describe the demographics, use, and access to smartphones of patients with COPD. It also aims to explore and develop an understanding of potential facilitators and barriers that might influence patients using mHealth interventions for COPD management.MethodsThis was an explanatory, sequential mixed methods study. Patients who attended respirology clinics completed a questionnaire on technology access and use. We conducted semistructured individual interviews with the patients. Interview topics included the following: demographics, mHealth use, perceptions toward challenges of mHealth adoption, factors facilitating mHealth adoption, and preferences regarding features of mHealth interventions for COPD management.ResultsA total of 100 adults completed the survey but 22 participants were excluded because they were not diagnosed with COPD. Of these, 10 patients with COPD participated in the interview. The quantitative component revealed that many patients with COPD owned a mobile phone, but only about one-fourth of the participants (18/77, 23%) owned a smartphone. The likelihood of owning a smartphone was not associated with age, sex, marital status, or geographical location, but patients with high educational status were more likely to own a smartphone. The qualitative component found that patients with COPD, in general, had a positive attitude toward mHealth adoption for COPD management, but several facilitators and barriers were identified. The main facilitators of mHealth adoption are possible health benefits for patients, ease of use, educating patients, and credibility. Alternatively, the barriers to adoption are technical issues, lack of awareness, potential limited uptake from older adults, privacy and confidentiality issues, finances, and lack of interest in mHealthConclusionsIt is important to understand the perceptions of patients with COPD regarding the adoption of innovative mHealth interventions for COPD management. This study identifies some potential facilitators and barriers that may inform the successful development and implementation of mHealth interventions for COPD management.
Highlights
ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) hospitalization rates, outside Quebec, have fallen by 22% since 2001–2002
The “In Focus” section of this report provides an in-depth look at hospitalization rates for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC); this indicator represents chronic conditions that can be potentially managed and controlled in the community rather than in hospital
In Focus: Hospitalization Rates for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions. According to both Canadian and international research, accessible and well-functioning primary health care services play an instrumental role in the management of chronic conditions, and factors such as access to services and quality of care may be related to hospitalization rates for ACSC.[6,7,8]
Summary
Health Indicators 2008 provides an in-depth analysis of one indicator—hospital admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) This indicator includes seven chronic conditions that can potentially be effectively managed in the community but may result in hospitalization in an acute care facility. The “In Focus” section of this report provides an in-depth look at hospitalization rates for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC); this indicator represents chronic conditions that can be potentially managed and controlled in the community rather than in hospital. 2005, about one-third of Canadians aged 12 and older reported having at least one chronic condition.i, 1 In the same year, it was estimated that about two million Canadians could die from chronic diseases in the coming decade.[2] chronic disease accounts for a significant amount of health spending every year due to illness, disability and death.[3] These costs reflect a variety of factors, including hospital care for people with chronic disease. Hospitalization rates* (measured per 100,000 population younger than 75 years of age) for the following conditions were examined:
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
