AIM

To investigate the experiences of using af telemedicine tool: AmbuFlex for patients with COPD

Background:

Patients with COPD affiliated with a cros-sectorial lung team had the opportunity to use a telemedicine tool:AmbuFlex. It was based on PRO(Patients Reportet Outcomes), encompassed measurements and questionaires on symptoms of acute exacerbation of COPD(AECOPD). The cros-sectorial lung team, consisted of nurses from Aarhus University Hospital and the Municipality of Aarhus, Denmark. The lung team monitored the submittet data, and contacted the patients, if needed. The purpose of Ambuflex was to omprove the patients awareness of symptoms of AECOPD and to respond earlier than they used to, in order to prevent hospitalizations.

Method

In total, 25 patients used AmbuFlex once af week. Five patients were interviewed in 2019. Based on semi-structured interviews, a thematic analysis was conducted.

Results

Patients experienced great comfort in being "monitored". They experienced an increased involvement in their disease, as they acquired a greater understanding of COPD, and improved their awareness of symptoms of an AECOPD. But the patients still wanted the opportunity to contact the cross-sectoral lung team day and night. It also appeared that contract with, and being known by the lung team, was of great importance for coping with COPD an preventing hospitalizations.

Conclusion

The patients using AmbuFlex experienced a great comfort as they knew the cross-sectorial lung team monitored their data. They also became more aware of symptoms of an AECOPD. As AmbuFlex was offered as a part of affiliation with the lung team, further studies are needed to investigate the isolated effect of AmbuFlex