Patients and healthcare practitioners' perspective on the development of a digital interprofessional intervention for COPD

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients often have poor health literacy, leading to non-adherence to treatment and poor inhalation technique. Technological solutions can help manage COPD, but adherence tends to be low due to various factors.

Objectives and methods: We conducted a qualitative study to determine the needs of COPD patients and healthcare practitioners (HCPs) towards a mobile application and a web platform. We also aimed to identify potential barriers or facilitators to the use of such digital tools and their potential impact, and to assess the current state of collaboration between healthcare practitioners.

Results: Our study found that COPD patients face difficulties in managing the disease and treatments, lack information and need easier contact with caregivers. Patients' needs include access to reliable information about COPD, its medical treatments and smoking cessation, help in maintaining good physical condition through adapted exercises, incentives and reminders, and crisis management protocols or a logbook. As patient needs can differ, it would be ideal if the mobile application could be customized. HCPs cite patient adherence, correct intake of the treatment, communication and lack of patient motivation as challenges. In particular, they would like to have access to information on patient follow-up and logbooks, as well as scientific documentation. They believe that interprofessional collaboration is essential for good patient care. However, lack of time is a major hurdle in optimizing this collaboration.

Conclusion: Our study showed that most patients and HCPs view a technological platform positively to support the care of COPD patients and promote interprofessional collaboration.

Keywords: Chronic; apps; digital health; education; pulmonary; qualitative; respiratory.