Patients were generally satisfied and found the systems useful to help them manage their disease and improve healthcare provision .
Nevertheless , they reported some difficulties in their use , which in some studies were related to lower compliance rates .
AIM This systematic review aim ed to provide a comprehensive description of the method ologies used in home telemonitoring interventions for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( COPD ) and to explore patients ' adherence and satisfaction with the use of telemonitoring systems .
Continuity, but at what cost? The impact of telemonitoring COPD on continuities of care: a qualitative study.
BACKGROUND Continuity of care is widely regarded as an important marker of quality in the management of patients with long-term conditions . New services that integrate telemonitoring into care pathways have potential to change aspects of continuity in both positive and negative ways . AIMS A telemonitoring service for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) was introduced in Lothian , Scotl and , in 2009 . A qualitative study , nested within the TELESCOT COPD r and omised control trial , was undertaken to explore the views of patients and professionals on  telemonitoring . The perceived impact of telemonitoring on continuity of care was investigated as part of the research . METHODS Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 38 patients ( 47 % male , mean age 67.5 years ) . A maximum variation sample in relation to age , sex , socio-economic background , disease severity , and compliance with telemonitoring was recruited . Thirty-two stakeholders ( healthcare professionals and managers ) were interviewed . Transcribed coded data were analysed thematically using the framework approach . Interpretation was supported by multidisciplinary discussion . RESULTS Patients and healthcare professionals considered that relationship-based continuity of care was important in the delivery of telemonitoring services . Managers placed emphasis on improved continuity of clinical management as a means of reducing healthcare costs . However , professionals described many operational challenges arising from the ' bolting-on ' of telemonitoring provision to existing usual care provision which , they considered , result ed in the proliferation of additional managerial discontinuities . CONCLUSIONS Managers and healthcare professionals face major challenges in meeting dem and s for both relationship continuity and continuity of clinical management in the development of telemonitoring services
Patients were generally satisfied and found the systems useful to help them manage their disease and improve healthcare provision .
Nevertheless , they reported some difficulties in their use , which in some studies were related to lower compliance rates .
AIM This systematic review aim ed to provide a comprehensive description of the method ologies used in home telemonitoring interventions for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( COPD ) and to explore patients ' adherence and satisfaction with the use of telemonitoring systems .