Exploring Personal Healthcare with the Help of Two Large European Framework Programs for Healthcare

Author(s):  
Harald Reiter ◽  
Joerg Habetha

Personal healthcare enables prevention and early diagnosis in daily life and is centered on the patient. There is a need for a new personal healthcare paradigm in the treatment of chronic diseases. This will be achieved by new technologies that are currently explored (e.g., in European Research projects such as MyHeart and HeartCycle). These projects develop technologies and application concepts for the (self-)management of chronic diseases in patients’ homes with special emphasis on usability and ease-of-use (e.g., wearable sensors and processing units that can even be integrated into the patient’s clothes). These technologies allow empowering patients, fostering self-management and therefore reducing cost, and improving patients’ quality of life.

Author(s):  
Jacqueline Floch ◽  
Thomas Vilarinho ◽  
Annabel Zettl ◽  
Gema Ibanez-Sanchez ◽  
Joaquim Calvo-Lerma ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Despite a large number of clinical trials aiming at evaluating the digital self-management of chronic diseases, there is little discussion about users’ experiences with digital approaches. However, a good user experience is a critical factor for technology adoption. Understanding users’ experiences can inform the design of approaches toward increased motivation for digital self-management. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the self-management of cystic fibrosis (CF) with a focus on gastrointestinal concerns and the care of young patients. Following a user-centered design approach, we developed a self-management app for patients and parents and a web tool for health care professionals (HCPs). To evaluate the proposed solutions, a 6-month clinical trial was conducted in 6 European CF competence centers. This paper analyzes the user acceptance of the technology and the benefits and disadvantages perceived by the trial participants. METHODS A mixed methods approach was applied. Data were collected through 41 semistructured qualitative interviews of patients, parents, and HCPs involved in the clinical trial. In addition, data were collected through questionnaires embedded in the self-management app. RESULTS Support for enzyme dose calculation and nutrition management was found to be particularly useful. Patients and parents rapidly strengthened their knowledge about the treatment and increased their self-efficacy. Reported benefits include reduced occurrence of symptoms and enhanced quality of life. Patients and parents had different skills, requiring follow-up by HCPs in an introductory phase. HCPs valued obtaining precise information about the patients, allowing for more personalized advice. However, the tight follow-up of several patients led to an increased workload. Over time, as patient self-efficacy increased, patient motivation for using the app decreased and the quality of the reported data was reduced. CONCLUSIONS Self-management enfolds a collaboration between patients and HCPs. To be successful, a self-management approach should be accepted by both parties. Through understanding behaviors and experiences, this study defines recommendations for a complex case—the demanding treatment of CF. We identify target patient groups and situations for which the app is most beneficial and suggest focusing on these rather than motivating for regular app usage over a long time. We also advise the personalized supervision of patients during the introduction of the approach. Finally, we propose to develop guidance for HCPs to facilitate changes in practice. As personalization and technology literacy are factors found to influence the acceptance of digital self-management of other chronic diseases, it is relevant to consider the proposed recommendations beyond the case of CF.


10.2196/15896 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e15896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Floch ◽  
Thomas Vilarinho ◽  
Annabel Zettl ◽  
Gema Ibanez-Sanchez ◽  
Joaquim Calvo-Lerma ◽  
...  

Background Despite a large number of clinical trials aiming at evaluating the digital self-management of chronic diseases, there is little discussion about users’ experiences with digital approaches. However, a good user experience is a critical factor for technology adoption. Understanding users’ experiences can inform the design of approaches toward increased motivation for digital self-management. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the self-management of cystic fibrosis (CF) with a focus on gastrointestinal concerns and the care of young patients. Following a user-centered design approach, we developed a self-management app for patients and parents and a web tool for health care professionals (HCPs). To evaluate the proposed solutions, a 6-month clinical trial was conducted in 6 European CF competence centers. This paper analyzes the user acceptance of the technology and the benefits and disadvantages perceived by the trial participants. Methods A mixed methods approach was applied. Data were collected through 41 semistructured qualitative interviews of patients, parents, and HCPs involved in the clinical trial. In addition, data were collected through questionnaires embedded in the self-management app. Results Support for enzyme dose calculation and nutrition management was found to be particularly useful. Patients and parents rapidly strengthened their knowledge about the treatment and increased their self-efficacy. Reported benefits include reduced occurrence of symptoms and enhanced quality of life. Patients and parents had different skills, requiring follow-up by HCPs in an introductory phase. HCPs valued obtaining precise information about the patients, allowing for more personalized advice. However, the tight follow-up of several patients led to an increased workload. Over time, as patient self-efficacy increased, patient motivation for using the app decreased and the quality of the reported data was reduced. Conclusions Self-management enfolds a collaboration between patients and HCPs. To be successful, a self-management approach should be accepted by both parties. Through understanding behaviors and experiences, this study defines recommendations for a complex case—the demanding treatment of CF. We identify target patient groups and situations for which the app is most beneficial and suggest focusing on these rather than motivating for regular app usage over a long time. We also advise the personalized supervision of patients during the introduction of the approach. Finally, we propose to develop guidance for HCPs to facilitate changes in practice. As personalization and technology literacy are factors found to influence the acceptance of digital self-management of other chronic diseases, it is relevant to consider the proposed recommendations beyond the case of CF.


Author(s):  
Thomas M. Chen

The founding of the Bell Telephone System, the public switched telephone network (PSTN), has evolved into a highly successful global telecommunications system. It is designed specifically for voice communications, and provides a high quality of service and ease of use. It is supported by sophisticated operations systems that ensure extremely high dependability and availability. Over the past 100 years, it has been a showcase for communications engineering and led to groundbreaking new technologies (e.g., transistors, fiber optics). Yet it is remarkable that many public carriers see their future in Internet protocol (IP) networks, namely the Internet. Of course, the Internet has also been highly successful, coinciding with the proliferation of personal computers. It has become ubiquitous for data applications such as the World Wide Web, e-mail, and peer-to-peer file sharing. While it is not surprising that the Internet is the future for data services, even voice services are transitioning to voice over Internet protocol (VoIP). This phenomenon bears closer examination, as a prime example explaining the success of the Internet as a universal communications platform. This chapter gives a historical development of the Internet and an overview of technical and nontechnical reasons for the convergence of services.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (S1) ◽  
pp. 41-41
Author(s):  
Emilia Galli Thurber ◽  
Hanan Aboumatar

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of both hospitalizations and readmissions in the United States, and about 1 in 5 hospitalized patients with COPD will be readmitted within 30 days. COPD-focused self-management programs are frequently used to help patients better manage their symptoms and prevent hospitalization. However, while the majority of patients with COPD have at least one comorbidity, most trials of COPD self-management programs either excluded patients with significant comorbidities or did not analyze the impact of comorbidities on patient outcomes. Using data from the BREATHE trial of a COPD self-management program, this study aims to determine if patient post-intervention outcomes differ based on the intensity and type of patient comorbidities. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: In total, 240 patients hospitalized for COPD were randomly assigned to either a comprehensive self-management intervention or usual transitional care. Primary outcomes for this trial were the number of COPD-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits at 6 months and changes in COPD-specific quality of life. To determine whether patient comorbidities modify the effect of the self-management intervention on readmission and quality of life outcomes, we will compare patient outcomes across groups stratified by comorbidity burden (Charlson Comorbidity Index) and type (baseline diagnosis of congestive heart failure, diabetes, and depression). In addition, we will use regression analysis with interaction terms to test for interaction between comorbidity burden/type and intervention assignment. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We hypothesize that the effect of the self-management intervention will differ in patients with greater comorbidity burden due to competing medical demands for patients with multimorbidity. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The results of this study will help clinicians better target disease-specific self-management programs to the groups of patients with COPD who are likely to receive the greatest benefit from this type of intervention.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2.7) ◽  
pp. 436
Author(s):  
Velivela Gopinath ◽  
Arigela Srija ◽  
Dr S Krishna Rao ◽  
Avula Madhuri

Smart Home is a flourishing technology of 20th century. It integrates of many new technologies through home networking for improving quality of human’s life. Intelligent Home trade has drawn goodish attention of researchers for quite a decade. Smart Home technology is a combination of network and services and much more consequently, this paper focuses on various topics in smart home technologies from surveying for smart home research projects and presents a survey of all such systems and covers advantages of smart home systems, smart steps and simple components to install smart homes. So, the presented paper can be cookbook of ideas for who ever want to learn this blossoming technology.  


10.2196/26427 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. e26427
Author(s):  
Olga Navarro ◽  
Marta Escrivá ◽  
Raquel Faubel ◽  
Vicente Traver

Background Video is used daily for various purposes, such as leisure, culture, and even learning. Currently, video is a tool that is available to a large part of the population and is simple to use. This audio-visual format has many advantages such as its low cost, speed of dissemination, and possible interaction between users. For these reasons, it is a tool with high dissemination and educational potential, which could be used in the field of health for learning about and management of chronic diseases by adult patients. Objective The following review determines whether the use of health educational videos by adult patients with chronic diseases is effective for their self-management according to the literature. Methods An electronic literature search of the PubMed, CINAHL, and MEDLINE (via the EBSCOhost platform) databases up to April 2020 was conducted. The systematic scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) methodology. Results After reviewing 1427 articles, 12 were selected as the most consistent with the proposed inclusion criteria. After their review, it was found that the studies showed that video is effective as a tool for improving care related to chronic diseases. Conclusions Video is effective in improving the care and quality of life for patients with chronic diseases, whether the initiative for using video came from their health care professionals or themselves.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204062232110567
Author(s):  
Sabrina Zora ◽  
Carlo Custodero ◽  
Yves-Marie Pers ◽  
Verushka Valsecchi ◽  
Alberto Cella ◽  
...  

Introduction: The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) improves self-efficacy and health outcomes in people with chronic diseases. In the context of the EFFICHRONIC project, we evaluated the efficacy of CDSMP in relieving frailty, as assessed by the self-administered version of Multidimensional Prognostic Index (SELFY-MPI), identifying also potential predictors of better response over 6-month follow-up. Methods: The SELFY-MPI explores mobility, basal and instrumental activities of daily living (Barthel mobility, ADL, IADL), cognition (Test Your Memory-TYM Test), nutrition (Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form-MNA-SF), comorbidities, medications, and socio-economic conditions (social-familiar evaluation scale-SFES). Participants were stratified in three groups according to the 6-month change of SELFY-MPI: those who improved after CDSMP (Δ SELFY-MPI < 0), those who remained unchanged (Δ SELFY-MPI = 0), and those who worsened (Δ SELFY-MPI > 0). Multivariable logistic regression was modeled to identify predictors of SELFY-MPI improvement. Results: Among 270 participants (mean age = 61.45 years, range = 26–93 years; females = 78.1%) a benefit from CDSMP intervention, in terms of decrease in the SELFY-MPI score, was observed in 32.6% of subjects. SELFY-MPI improvement was found in participants with higher number of comorbidities (1–2 chronic diseases: adjusted odd ratio (aOR)=2.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.01, 5.58; ⩾ 3 chronic diseases: aOR = 3.34, 95% CI = 1.25, 8.90 vs no chronic disease), poorer cognitive performance (TYM ⩽ 42: aOR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.12, 5.19 vs TYM > 42) or higher risk of malnutrition (MNA-SF ⩽ 11: aOR = 6.11, 95% CI = 3.15, 11.83 vs MNA-SF > 11). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the CDSMP intervention contributes to decreasing the self-perceived severity of frailty (SELFY-MPI score) in more vulnerable participants with several chronic diseases and lower cognitive performance and nutritional status.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongjie Yi ◽  
Haoran Jiang ◽  
Aiping Wang ◽  
Wei Zong ◽  
Yu Dong ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To investigate the status quo and relationship between self-management efficacy and quality of life (QOL) of patients with breast cancer undergoing endocrine therapy, and to explore the influencing factors of QOL. Methods The convenience sampling method was used to select 240 patients who received endocrine therapy after breast cancer surgery in the First Hospital of China Medical University, the self-designed general data questionnaire, self-management efficacy questionnaire for breast cancer patients with endocrine therapy and quality of life scale for breast cancer patients were used to investigate. The frequency, percentage, mean ± standard deviation were used to describe patients' self-management efficacy and quality of life. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between self-management efficacy and quality of life, and univariate analysis and multiple stepwise regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of QOL. Results The scores of self-management efficacy and QOL of patients with breast cancer endocrine therapy were 125.21 ± 25.57 and 153.33 ± 19.31 respectively, which were at the middle level; self-management efficacy was significantly positively correlated with quality of life ( p < 0.01 ) ; multiple stepwise regression results showed that self-management efficacy, the number of physical symptoms, monthly family income and recurrence and metastasis were the influencing factors of QOL. Conclusion The self-management efficacy of endocrine therapy was positively correlated with QOL in breast cancer patients. The higher the self-management efficacy of endocrine therapy, the better QOL in breast cancer patients. Self-management efficacy is the main factor affecting the quality of life of breast cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy. Improving the level of self-management efficacy can improve their quality of life.


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