The purpose of this study (The TEMOKAP study) is to investigate whether home-based treatment with telemedicine and support from healthcare professionals can prevent acute exacerbations of COPD and avoid acute hospital admissions, and whether this will improve the participant's health status and quality of life. In other words, the project seeks to document how life with COPD can be made better and safer for all COPD patients. The project is a collaboration between the University of Copenhagen, alles Lægehus (everyone's medical practice), Epital Health A/S, and Apopro.dk and will be conducted as a scientific study.
Why the TEMOKAP Study? The TEMOKAP study represents a new treatment method where, with the help of modern technology and telemedicine, we can offer examination and treatment in your own home if a medical issue or an acute exacerbation of your chronic illness should arise. In a time of Corona, as Denmark is experiencing, this principle is fully in line with the Danish Health Authority's recommendations to protect our chronic patients and reduce the risk of infection. What are the benefits of participating? * Direct and easy daily access to medical/healthcare professional help regarding your COPD * The possibility of receiving treatment in the safe environment of your own home * Free delivery of medication to your home address, so you don't have to go to the pharmacy yourself * Reduced risk of infection with the Corona virus and other infectious diseases * Prevention of exacerbations of your COPD and avoidance of hospital admissions * Increased co-determination in your own treatment process * Freedom and security to live better with a chronic illness How does it work? The TEMOKAP study works "proactively", meaning it reacts and acts "before the damage is done". This has become possible through the tele-tools that you will be provided with and use daily to take measurements from home. Your measurements are analyzed daily by mathematical models that can help the TEMOKAP study's doctors and nurses predict exacerbations, so they can initiate treatment much earlier than normal. As a participant in the TEMOKAP study, in addition to your usual medication, you will have two types of "acute medication" (antibiotics and corticosteroids) readily available at home. This means that our doctors and nurses can initiate treatment immediately if an exacerbation should occur. You avoid a lot of hassle with getting prescriptions and picking up medication at the pharmacy - and most importantly, you save time and can start treatment quickly. TEMOKAP study, participant information (v3) 2 The TEMOKAP study also has a strong focus on your well-being and safety and therefore offers an open emergency line where you can get in touch with qualified healthcare professionals who are always ready if you need help or support in your daily life. What does participation involve? Initially, you will undergo a clinical examination by a doctor or nurse from the TEMOKAP study with a special focus on your COPD. We will adjust your medication if necessary, and together we will make a plan for your wishes and goals for the future. You will then decide whether you wish to participate in the TEMOKAP study, and if you meet the necessary criteria for participation, you will need to sign a "Consent Form". Once signed, you will be randomly placed in either an "active group" or a "control group". Active group As a participant in the "active group", you will be provided with an electronic screen (tablet) with a direct connection to the TEMOKAP study's doctors and nurses, as well as a spirometer and an oximeter. You will be trained in how to use the equipment to take your daily measurements and learn how to contact us if you need to. Treatment, access to doctors and nurses, all technical equipment, and the delivery of medication are completely free for you. The only thing you have to pay for is your usual medication and the acute medication that you need to have readily available at home. The acute medication costs approximately DKK 50 after subsidy. Electronic screen (tablet) Spirometer Oximeter Your participation in the TEMOKAP study will last for one year. At the start of the project, after 6 months, and at the end of the project, we will collect a series of health information about your health, which we will analyze to investigate how you have been and to compare with a "control group". This will take place a total of three times, through questionnaires and consultations that you will be invited to. You will continue to be affiliated with alles LægeHus, so you can contact and visit your own doctor, just as you usually do, and if you are connected to a hospital outpatient clinic, this will also continue - as usual. Control group As a participant in the "control group", you will continue your treatment as usual through alles LægeHus. At the start of the project, after 6 months, and at the end of the project after 1 year, you will be contacted by one of the TEMOKAP study's staff members who will collect a series of health information about your health to investigate and analyze how you have been. The results will be compared with the "Active group" to investigate the effect of the two treatments. This will take place a total of three times, through questionnaires and consultations that you will be invited to or called about.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
184
The intervention were connected to the ECM response and coordination centre (RCC) which provided the participants with 24/7/365 access to assistance from certified RCC staff who were supported by eDoctors. Patients self-tracking activities (saturation, pulse, lung function, temperature and report on increased sputum, coughing, and shortness of breath) were monitored dayly by the RCC whoom would contact them in the event of signs of deterioration. The RCC staff together with the participant would make informed decisions, via phone or video call, on how to best manage the change in condition guided by the previous measures evaluated with graphs, including plotted trends. If there was a need for medical treatment, a treatment plan was drawn up with fixed follow-ups and a course plan.
The ECM Clinic
Søborg, Denmark
WHO-5 Well-Being Index and 1b: Contacts to healthcare services associated with COPD, 1c: The Readiness and Enablement Index for Health Technology (READHY) questionnaire
Patient's mental well-being was assessed by the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. This is a validated questionnaire that examines patients' mental well-being and can also indicate anxiety, stress, and depression. 1b: Patients' contacts to healthcare services associated with COPD included general practice (GP), out-of-offices services, outpatient clinics and hospital admissions at T0, T1 and T2 in both groups. Baseline information on hospital admissions was also examined retrospectively 12 months from the date of inclusion. Data are only self-reported but were verified by the clinical co-investigators with interviews to ensure that the COPD-related outcomes were accurate. 1c: The Readiness and Enablement Index for Health Technology (READHY) allows for a more systematic assessment of patient readiness for health technology, which includes dimensions of self-management capabilities (including emotional distress), perceived support and digital health literacy. Together with socio-demographic
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 month
Patients' contacts to healthcare services associated with COPD
Patients' contacts to healthcare services associated with COPD included general practice (GP), out-of-offices services, outpatient clinics and hospital admissions at T0, T1 and T2 in both groups. Baseline information on hospital admissions was also examined retrospectively 12 months from the date of inclusion. Data are only self-reported but were verified by the clinical co-investigators with interviews to ensure that the COPD-related outcomes were accurate.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 month
The Readiness and Enablement Index for Health Technology (READHY)
The Readiness and Enablement Index for Health Technology (READHY) allows for a more systematic assessment of patient readiness for health technology, which includes dimensions of self-management capabilities (including emotional distress), perceived support and digital health literacy. Together with socio-demographic
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 month
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.