The goal of this study is to evaluate the overall impact of Telehomecare on COPD and HF patients and system level outcomes using a comparison group of patients that did not participate in the program (for up to 18 months). This evaluation study will explore costs, participants' experiences, perceptions, and patterns of use related to Telehomecare. The study will include eight Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) across Ontario, Canada.
The key question to answer is how different models of Telehomecare enabled self-management impacts patient outcomes, experiences and system costs across Ontario. The evaluation study will also attempt to answer questions on who is benefitting the most from the program and the quantifiable benefits a patient would experience from participating. The intervention evaluation study will use a mixed-methods design comprising of four components (sub-studies), using both qualitative and quantitative research methods: (1) Comparative Effectiveness Study that evaluates patient-level clinical outcomes (e.g. hospitalization, ED visits) using administrative data in comparison with usual care; (2) Economic Evaluation Study that will evaluate costs associated with the program and patient level outcomes as well as cost-effectiveness of the program in comparison with 'usual care'; (3) Evaluation study of Telehomecare use that will evaluate the patterns of program use and perceived quality of life, disease management, satisfaction and caregiver strain; and (4) Adoption study that will use ethnographic fieldwork, semi-structured interviews (during and after program participation) and review of documentary sources to gain understanding of program adoption.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
5,400
University Health Network
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGDisease specific hospitalization and ED visits
Comparison of disease specific hospitalization and ED visits between patients receiving Telehomecare vs. 'usual care' (followed up to 18 months)
Time frame: 18 months
Number of all-cause hospitalization/ED visits
Comparison of the number of all-cause hospitalization/ED visits between patients receiving Telehomecare vs. 'usual care' (followed up to 18 months)
Time frame: 18 months
Number of visits to primary care physicians
Comparison of the number of visits to primary care physicians between patients receiving Telehomecare vs. 'usual care' (followed up to 18 months)
Time frame: 18 months
Number of visits to specialists
Comparison of the number of visits to specialists between patients receiving Telehomecare vs. 'usual care' (followed up to 18 months)
Time frame: 18 months
Number of visits to in-home health professionals
Comparison of the number of visits to in-home health professionals between patients receiving Telehomecare vs. 'usual care' (followed up to 18 months)
Time frame: 18 months
Number of admissions to long-term care facilities
Comparison of the number of admissions to long-term care facilities between patients receiving Telehomecare vs. 'usual care' (followed up to 18 months)
Time frame: 18 months
Length of stay in hospital
Comparison of length-of-stay in hospital between patients receiving Telehomecare vs. 'usual care' (followed up to 18 months)
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Time frame: 18 months
Medication use
Comparison of medication use between patients receiving Telehomecare vs. 'usual care' (followed up to 18 months)
Time frame: 18 months