Supporting self-management for patients with Interstitial Lung Diseases: Utility and acceptability of digital devices

Malik A. Althobiani, Rebecca Shuttleworth, John Conway, Jonathan Dainton, Anna Duckworth, Ana Jorge Da Ponte, Jessica Mandizha, Joseph W. Lanario, Michael A. Gibbons, Sarah Lines, Christopher J. Scotton, John R. Hurst, Joanna C. Porter, Anne-Marie Russell*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Patients diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD) use devices to self-monitor their health and well-being. Little is known about the range of devices, selection, frequency and terms of use and overall utility. We sought to quantify patients' usage and experiences with home digital devices, and further evaluate their perceived utility and barriers to adaptation.

METHODS: A team of expert clinicians and patient partners interested in self-management approaches designed a 48-question cross-sectional electronic survey; specifically targeted at individuals diagnosed with ILD. The survey was critically appraised by the interdisciplinary self-management group at Royal Devon University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust during a 6-month validation process. The survey was open for participation between September 2021 and December 2022, and responses were collected anonymously. Data were analysed descriptively for quantitative aspects and through thematic analysis for qualitative input.

RESULTS: 104 patients accessed the survey and 89/104 (86%) reported a diagnosis of lung fibrosis, including 46/89 (52%) idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with 57/89 (64%) of participants diagnosed >3 years and 59/89 (66%) female. 52/65(80%) were in the UK; 33/65 (51%) reported severe breathlessness medical research council MRC grade 3-4 and 32/65 (49%) disclosed co-morbid arthritis or joint problems. Of these, 18/83 (22%) used a hand- held spirometer, with only 6/17 (35%) advised on how to interpret the readings. Pulse oximetry devices were the most frequently used device by 35/71 (49%) and 20/64 (31%) measured their saturations more than once daily. 29/63 (46%) of respondents reported home-monitoring brought reassurance; of these, for 25/63 (40%) a feeling of control. 10/57 (18%) felt it had a negative effect, citing fluctuating readings as causing stress and 'paranoia'. The most likely help-seeking triggers were worsening breathlessness 53/65 (82%) and low oxygen saturation 43/65 (66%). Nurse specialists were the most frequent source of help 24/63 (38%). Conclusion: Patients can learn appropriate technical skills, yet perceptions of home-monitoring are variable; targeted assessment and tailored support is likely to be beneficial.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere0000318
Number of pages18
JournalPLOS digital health
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Jan 2024

Bibliographical note

Funding:
This work was supported by a Health Education England Population Health fellowship to RS. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of this manuscript. None of the other co-authors received specific funding for this work.

Copyright:
© 2024 Althobiani et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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