Detecting deterioration in patients with chronic disease using telemonitoring: navigating the 'trough of disillusionment'

• Published in: Journal of evaluation in clinical practice Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 896 - 903
• Main Authors: Elwyn, Glyn, Hardisty, Alex R., Peirce, Susan C., May, Carl, Evans, Robert, Robinson, Douglas K. R., Bolton, Charlotte E., Yousef, Zaheer, Conley, Edward C., Rana, Omer F., Gray, W. Alex, Preece, Alun D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2012; Wiley
• Subjects: Business administration; Chronic Disease; chronic illness; Diffusion of Innovation; Disease Progression; Health Personnel - psychology; Heart Failure - physiopathology; Human health and pathology; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Life Sciences; long-term conditions; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - physiopathology; Qualitative Research; Remote Consultation - methods; telehealth; telemedicine; Telemetry - methods; telemonitoring; United Kingdom; Chronic illness; Long-term conditions; Telemonitoring; Telehealth; Telemedicine; Chronic disease
• ISSN: 1356-1294; 1365-2753
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2753.2011.01701.x

Objectives  To examine the evidence base for telemonitoring designed for patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure, and to assess whether telemonitoring fulfils the principles of monitoring and is ready for implementation into routine settings. Design  Qualitative data collection using interviews and participation in a multi‐path mapping process. Participants  Twenty‐six purposively selected informants completed semi‐structured interviews and 24 individuals with expertise in the relevant clinical and informatics domains from academia, industry, policy and provider organizations and participated in a multi‐path mapping workshop. Results  The evidence base for the effectiveness of telemonitoring is weak and inconsistent, with insufficient cost‐effectiveness studies. When considered against an accepted definition of monitoring, telemonitoring is found wanting. Telemonitoring has not been able so far to ensure that the technologies fit into the life world of the patient and into the clinical and organizational milieu of health service delivery systems. Conclusions  To develop effective telemonitoring for patients with chronic disease, more attention needs to be given to agreeing the central aim of early detection and, to ensure potential implementation, engaging a wide range of stakeholders in the design process, especially patients and clinicians.