Internet-enabled pulmonary rehabilitation and diabetes education in group settings at home: a preliminary study of patient acceptability
Permanent link
https://hdl.handle.net/10037/6076Date
2013Type
Journal articleTidsskriftartikkel
Peer reviewed
Author
Burkow, Tatjana; Vognild, Lars Kristian; Østengen, Geir; Johnsen, Elin; Risberg, Marijke Jongsma; Bratvold, Astrid; Hagen, Tord; Brattvoll, Morten; Krogstad, Trine; Hjalmarsen, AudhildAbstract
Background: The prevalence of major chronic illnesses, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and
diabetes, is increasing. Pulmonary rehabilitation and diabetes self-management education are important in the
management of COPD and diabetes respectively. However, not everyone can participate in the programmes offered at
a hospital or other central locations, for reasons such as travel and transport. Internet-enabled home-based
programmes have the potential to overcome these barriers.
This study aims to assess patient acceptability of the delivery form and components of Internet-enabled programmes
based on home groups for comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation and for diabetes self-management education.
Methods: We have developed Internet-enabled home programmes for comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation and
for diabetes self-management education that include group education, group exercising (COPD only), individual
consultations, educational videos and a digital health diary. Our prototype technology platform makes use of each
user’s own TV at home, connected to a computer, and a remote control. We conducted a six-week home trial with 10
participants: one group with COPD and one with diabetes. The participants were interviewed using semi-structured
interviews.
Results: Both home-based programmes were well accepted by the participants. The group setting at home made it
possible to share experiences and to learn from questions raised by others, as in conventional group education. In the
sessions, interaction and discussion worked well, despite the structure needed for turn taking. The thematic educational
videos were well accepted although they were up to 40 minutes long and their quality was below TV broadcasting
standards. Taking part in group exercising at home under the guidance of a physiotherapist was also well accepted by
the participants. Participants in the COPD group appreciated the social aspect of group education sessions and of
exercising together, each in their own home. The digital health diary was used as background information in the
individual consultations and by some participants as a self-management tool. Participant retention was high, with no
dropouts. None of the participants reported that the six-week duration of the home programmes was too long.
Conclusions: The Internet-enabled programmes for home-based groups in pulmonary rehabilitation and diabetes
education were generally well accepted by the participants. Our findings indicate that conventional programmes have
the potential to be delivered in socially supportive group settings at home.
Publisher
BioMed CentralCitation
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making (2013), vol. 13:33Metadata
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