Telehealth and telemedicine in the management of adult patients after hospitalization for COPD exacerbation: a scoping review

Abstract

Objective: A substantial number of people with COPD suffer from exacerbations, which are defined as an acute worsening of respiratory symptoms. To minimize exacerbations, telehealth has emerged as an alternative to improve clinical management, access to health care, and support for self-management. Our objective was to map the evidence of telehealth/telemedicine for the monitoring of adult COPD patients after hospitalization due to an exacerbation. Methods: Bibliographic search was carried in PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science, Scopus, Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde/LILACS and Cochrane Library databases to identify articles describing telehealth and telemonitoring strategies in Portuguese, English, or Spanish published by December of 2021. Results: Thirty-nine articles, using the following concepts (number of articles), were included in this review: telehealth (21); telemonitoring (20); telemedicine (17); teleconsultation (5); teleassistance (4); telehomecare and telerehabilitation (3 each); telecommunication and mobile health (2 each); and e-health management, e-coach, telehome, telehealth care and televideo consultation (1 each). All these concepts describe strategies which use telephone and/or video calls for coaching, data monitoring, and health education leading to self-management or self-care, focusing on providing remote integrated home care with or without telemetry devices. Conclusions: This review demonstrated that telehealth/telemedicine in combination with telemonitoring can be an interesting strategy to benefit COPD patients after discharge from hospitalization for an exacerbation, by improving their quality of life and reducing re-hospitalizations, admissions to emergency services, hospital length of stay, and health care costs.

Digital home care interventions and quality of primary care for older adults: a scoping review

“…As evidenced in this review, the use of monitoring technology devices is consistent with the specialized literature that reveals the possibility of notable benefits to older people, supporting their independence, mobility, safety and general well-being [ 121 ]. In addition to reducing the hospitalization duration, rehospitalization or admission to emergency departments, and health care costs [ 120 , 122 ], digital health has impacts on the relational dimension with regard to the feasibility of communication, proximity and improvement of human interactions. Thus, this approach can provide updated information in real time and optimize care.…”

Análise Da Relação Entre Tabagismo E Agravamento Da Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica Em Idosos

“…A fumaça do cigarro é composta por mais de 4.000 substâncias tóxicas, incluindo nicotina, monóxido de carbono, alcatrão e gases irritantes. Essas substâncias danificam as estruturas pulmonares, causando inflamação crônica e diminuindo a capacidade dos pulmões de respirar adequadamente (REZENDE, et al, 2023).…”

“…Além disso, é importante que esses idosos sigam as recomendações médicas para controlar a doença, incluindo o uso de medicamentos, mudanças na dieta e a prática de atividades físicas. O acompanhamento médico regular é fundamental para monitorar a evolução da doença e prevenir complicações (REZENDE, et al, 2023).…”

“…O cigarro contém mais de 4.000 substâncias tóxicas, muito delas conhecidas por causar danos aos pulmões. Quando inaladas, essas substâncias se depositam nos pulmões e prejudicam a função respiratória (REZENDE, et al, 2023).…”

“…Assim, a OMS estima que a prevalência da DPOC aumentou em todo o mundo, de 4,2% em 1990 para cerca de 7,8% em 2017. A prevalência é mais alta em países de baixa e média renda, sendo que a OMS estima que cerca de 90% dos casos de DPOC ocorram em países de baixa e média renda (REZENDE, et al, 2023).…”