BMJ 2013; 347: f5932
Results of a UK-based study indicate that telemonitoring adds little benefit to the self-management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Hilary Pinnock (University of Edinburgh, UK) and colleagues randomly assigned 128 primary care patients with a history of COPD admission to undergo telemonitoring, and 128 to receive usual care, including self-monitoring.
Patients in the intervention group completed a daily survey on a touch screen about their symptoms, treatment, and oxygen saturation. When patients’ scores reached a certain threshold, they were contacted by the monitoring physician who, after further clinical assessment, would decide whether further management was necessary, like commencing rescue treatment, a home visit, or admission.
more medwireNews – COPD – COPD telemonitoring ‘costly and ineffective’.
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