Understanding the potential role of mobile phone-based monitoring on asthma self-management: qualitative study.
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Date
2007-04-25
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Abstract
BACKGROUND National and international healthcare policy increasingly seeks technological solutions to the challenge of providing care for people with long term conditions Novel technologies however have the potential to change the dynamics of disease monitoring and self management We aimed to explore the opinions and concerns of people with asthma and primary care clinicians on the potential role of mobile phone monitoring technology transmitting symptoms and peak flows with immediate feedback of control and reminder of appropriate actions in supporting asthma self management METHODS This qualitative study recruited 48 participants 34 adults and teenagers with asthma 14 asthma nurses and doctors from primary care in Lothian Central Scotland and Kent South East England Thirty nine participated in six focus groups which included a demonstration of the technology nine gave in depth interviews before and after a 4 week trial of the technology RESULTS Participants considered that mobile phone based monitoring systems can facilitate guided self management although paradoxically may engender dependence on professional technological support In the early phases as patients are learning to accept understand and control their asthma this support was seen as providing much needed confidence During the maintenance phase when self management predominates patient and professionals were concerned that increased dependence may be unhelpful although they appreciated that maintaining an on going record could facilitate consultations CONCLUSION Mobile phone based monitoring systems have the potential to support guided self management by aiding transition from clinician supported early phases to effective self management during the maintenance phase Continuing development adoption and formal evaluation of these systems should take account of the insights provided by our data