Table 2.

Findings from published studies related to the CVC program e-health applications at the UOHI.

Telemedicine

Study examining Healthcare and Education Access for Remote Residents by Telecommunications (HEARRT) (23) showed: •All first-time patients who were surveyed (n = 19) expressed satisfaction with their consultation, experienced no issues communicating with the consulting physician, and had confidence in the advice given during the consultation.

Telehome monitoring

Study on the impacts of THM in relation to accessibility, quality, and efficiency of healthcare (19) reported: •HF and angina patients (n = 105) with high risk of hospital readmission who were monitored with THM for three months experienced improved quality of life, found the equipment simple to use, and were highly satisfied with the care that they received via THM.

Study on the impacts after 3 months of THM (19) showed: •51% decrease in admissions per patient for angina patients in THM group compared to usual care group at three months. •61% reduction in number of days spent in hospital for angina patients in THM group compared to usual care group at three months. •45% reduction in hospital admission rates for angina patients in THM group compared to usual care group at one year. •Angina patients in THM group made fewer emergency department visits compared to angina patients in usual care group at three months and at one year.

Study comparing THM for patients in rural vs. urban locations (35) showed: •Similar patterns of utilization of THM for rural and urban chronic heart failure patients in 2014. •The THM periods, the number of emergency visits, diuretic adjustments, and calls made by nurses did not vary based on geographic location (i.e., rural vs. urban).

Study on older adult's THM use (i.e., self-care practices, patient empowerment, and adoption factors) (28) reported: •Surveyed chronic HF patients (n = 23) perceived value in using telemonitoring, did not expect difficulty in using it, and did not experience barriers to adoption. •Observed improvement noted in patients’ confidence in their own ability to evaluate, rectify, and evaluate the effectiveness of the steps taken to rectify their HF symptoms. •Decreases were noticed over time in terms of self-care maintenance activities and capability to be involved in decision-making related to their chronic HF.

Interactive Voice Response

Study evaluating the use of IVR technology to increase medication compliance and reduce adverse health events (36) reported: •Increased compliance with medications for IVR group compared to usual care group. •Decreased emergency room visits and hospitalizations for IVR group compared to usual care group at six months.

Study on the use of an IVR system to improve survival of acute coronary syndrome (37) reported: •Increased compliance with medications by roughly 60% for IVR group compared to usual care group. •Decreased number of unplanned visits in IVR group compared to usual care group.

Study on the use of IVR by HF patients in relation to symptoms, compliance behaviour, lifestyle, and hospital readmission (38) reported: •Increase medication compliance in 12-week period. •Decreased symptom occurrence, weight gain, and hospital readmission rate in 12-week period.

THM, telehome monitoring; HF, heart failure; IVR, interactive voice response.