Remote Monitoring Support Rehabilitation of Lung Disease
Data describing the benefits of telemonitoring approaches for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was presented at the recent meeting of the American Thoracic Society in Toronto.
The program described, Telehealth, is an extension of an existing program in Edmonton. That program, Breathe Easy Pulmonary Rehabilitation, expanded as a result of an increasing number of referrals from patients who lived too far from the center to undergo traditional lung rehabilitation. The Telehealth Pulmonary Rehabilitation program was started in 2005 to address this system shortcoming.
The program allows patients to be seen by both therapists and lung specialists, as well as participate in rehabilitation programming such as guided exercise with telemonitoring approaches. The sessions are convened at local health clinics twice weekly. Physical or respiratory therapists on site provide assistance and guidance as needed.
This approach is especially useful for patients who live in remote areas and cannot easily access clinicians who oversee for their care. Benefits noted include improvements in breathing, as well as the ability to enjoy improved overall life quality. In fact, the benefits noted from this approach are on par with those derived from in-person rehabilitation approaches.
The telehealth approach was compared by researchers to traditional, in person treatment for COPD over an eight week period. Analysis indicates that results from the two different methods were comparable. This data highlights the benefit of this approach and can be utilized to show patients its utility.
May 30, 2008 Related topics: Pulmonary, New Technology & Innovation, Diagnostic