Patient Engagement Using Telemedicine in Primary Care during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Trial Study

María Asunción Vicente (), César Fernández, Mercedes Guilabert, Irene Carrillo, Jimmy Martín-Delgado, José Joaquín Mira and Prometeo173 Working Group
Additional contact information
María Asunción Vicente: Health Psychology Department, Miguel Hernandez University, 03202 Elche, Spain
César Fernández: Health Psychology Department, Miguel Hernandez University, 03202 Elche, Spain
Mercedes Guilabert: Health Psychology Department, Miguel Hernandez University, 03202 Elche, Spain
Irene Carrillo: Health Psychology Department, Miguel Hernandez University, 03202 Elche, Spain
Jimmy Martín-Delgado: Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region (FISABIO), 0313 Alicante, Spain
José Joaquín Mira: Health Psychology Department, Miguel Hernandez University, 03202 Elche, Spain
Prometeo173 Working Group: Collaborators of the Prometeo173 Working Group are provided in the Author Contributions.

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-14

Abstract: The correct treatment of most non-transmissible diseases requires, in addition to adequate medication, adherence to physical activity and diet guidelines, as well as health data monitoring and patient motivation. The restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic made telemedicine tools and mobile apps the best choice for monitoring patient compliance. The objective of this study was to analyze the benefits of an m-Health solution designed specifically for chronic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A pragmatic clinical trial with pre–post measurements of a single group was carried out with 70 patients (aged 40+) with one or more chronic conditions. Patients were provided with an ad hoc mobile app and health data measuring devices according to their diseases. The health status of the patients was monitored remotely by health professionals who could also modify the patient’s objectives according to their evolution. The results obtained show an average fulfillment of objectives of 77%. Higher fulfillment values: medication adherence (98%) and oxygen saturation (82%); lower fulfillment values: weight (48%), glucose (57%), and distance walked (57%). Globally, the ad hoc app was rated 8.72 points out of 10 (standard deviation 1.10). Concerning the pre–post analysis, there were significant improvements vs. prior apps used by the participants in the following items: improved physical activation and better control of blood pressure, diet, weight, glucose, and oxygen saturation. In conclusion, the telemedicine tool developed was useful in increasing patient engagement and adherence to treatment.

Keywords: chronic conditions; COVID-19; telemedicine; m-Health; engagement; adherence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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