Queen's University Belfast

Academic Institute

James McElnay

E004

Telemonitoring NI (TMNI) is an innovative scheme introduced throughout Northern Ireland in 2011 to support independent living and self-care in patients with a range of chronic medical conditions. The service consists of Telehealth and Telecare and is provided by TF3. Telehealth evaluation Telehealth involves placing devices in the patient’s home which are connected via the internet or telephone, to allow healthcare professionals to monitor relevant health readings. The data collected by TMNI will be used in the research and shall include information which relates to each patient, the condition(s) they are being monitored for and details relating to the Telehealth service. The aim is to evaluate the programme, determining the success of Telehealth and its effect on managing chronic conditions. The four main clinical areas of focus in the research are: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, heart failure and hypertension. Additionally, some stroke patients will be involved in the study. The three areas of investigation are: • Descriptive data (including demographics, TMNI data and healthcare service use data). The Honest Broker Service (HBS) will be used to access anonymised data provided by TF3. • Quantitative methods, involving questionnaires on self-efficacy, disease-specific self-care and generic health-related quality of life will be completed. We will access to the Enhance Prescribing Database and data relating to healthcare service usage in the HBS to evaluate the effectiveness of TMNI and to complete a health economic evaluation. Complementary qualitative methods, involving semi-structured interviews with patients, carers and healthcare professionals will be used to triangulate the descriptive and quantitative datasets. Telecare evaluation We will conduct a preliminary evaluation of Telecare NI, which involves the use of sensors, such as smoke or fall detectors to assist patients with independent living in their own homes. We will provide a definitive list of variables we require TF3 to provide the HBS relating to this analysis in due course. Outcome The evaluation of the TMNI scheme will inform the development of the service, particularly in relation to the management of chronic conditions from the patients’ homes.

We will conduct a preliminary evaluation of Telecare NI, which involves the use of sensors, such as smoke or fall detectors to assist patients with independent living in their own homes. The aim is to evaluate the programme, determining the success of Telehealth and its effect on managing chronic conditions. The evaluation of the TMNI scheme will inform the development of the service, particularly in relation to the management of chronic conditions from the patients’ homes.

17/04/2015

TRE