Background: An opportunity to improve care of multiple chronic conditions for those living in rural areas of the country may exist through the use of technology. Integrating technology interventions into existing rura...Background: An opportunity to improve care of multiple chronic conditions for those living in rural areas of the country may exist through the use of technology. Integrating technology interventions into existing rural health systems allows for increased access to healthcare services and augments self-management ability for patients. However, questions remain about acceptability and feasibility of technology use in rural populations. The purpose of this paper is to present the feasibility of mI-SMART, a HIPAA compliant, web-based, structure of mHealth sensors and mobile devices designed to overcome the known health determinant of access to care for rural, chronically ill patients by using technology. Methods: The study was conducted at a primary-care clinic that provided healthcare at no or low cost to low income adults. Inclusion criteria encompassed adults, with at least one chronic condition, having at least 3rd grade reading level, without having dementia/psychosis. Each participant was given a Nexus7 tablet and Bluetooth self-monitoring devices. Feasibility was evaluated in four ways and acceptability was evaluated with post-intervention questionnaires. Results: Thirty participants [mean age: 52 years (SD: 10.0, range: 29 - 74)] were majority female (70%), white (70%), married (60%), high-school educated or less (56.7%), impoverished (less than $20,000 per annum (56.7%), with multiple chronic conditions (96.7%)). During the trial, all participants were able to transmit data. No error messages were due to the mI-SMART system. Errors were user related and solved with technical support. Mean number of self-monitor transmissions was 219.7 [(SD: 197.4), range: 1 - 733]. Participants logged into the system an average of 163. 1 [(SD: 169.7), range: 2 - 568] times and viewed an average of 1092.1 [(SD: 1205.6), range: 8 - 3851] intervention components. Over eighty-six percent of participants sent data for 12 weeks and 43.1% used the intervention for longer. Conclusions: The mI-SMART system is a feasible option for impoverished persons living in rural areas.展开更多
Background: The treatment of Multiple Chronic Conditions (MCC) is complex for both patients and providers. Used as integrated tools, technology may decrease complexity, remove the barrier of distance to obtain care, a...Background: The treatment of Multiple Chronic Conditions (MCC) is complex for both patients and providers. Used as integrated tools, technology may decrease complexity, remove the barrier of distance to obtain care, and improve outcomes of care. A new platform that integrates multiple technologies for primary health care called mI SMART (Mobile Improvement of Self-Management Ability through Rural Technology) has been developed. The purpose of this paper is to present to development of mI SMART, a nurse-led technology intervention for treating for MCC in primary care. Methods: The creation of mI SMART was guided by the model for developing complex nursing interventions. The model suggests a process for building and informing interventions with the intention of effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability. Each step in the model builds from and informs the previous step. Results: The process resulted in the integrated technologies of mI SMART. The system combines a HIPAA compliant, web-based, structure of mHealth sensors and mobile devices to treat and monitor multiple chronic conditions within an existing free primary care clinic. The mI SMART system allows patients to track diagnoses, medications, lab results, receive reminders for self-management, perform self-monitoring, obtain feedback in real time, engage in education, and attend visits through video conferencing. The system displays a record database to patients and providers that will be integrated into existing Electronic Health Records. Conclusion: By using the model for developing complex nursing interventions, a multifaceted solution to clinical problems was identified. Through modeling and seeking expert review, we have established a sustainable and scalable integrated nurse-led intervention that may increase access and improve outcomes for patients living in rural and underserved areas. The first trial of mI SMART has been completed and evaluated for feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness in persons in rural areas living with multiple chronic conditions.展开更多
文摘Background: An opportunity to improve care of multiple chronic conditions for those living in rural areas of the country may exist through the use of technology. Integrating technology interventions into existing rural health systems allows for increased access to healthcare services and augments self-management ability for patients. However, questions remain about acceptability and feasibility of technology use in rural populations. The purpose of this paper is to present the feasibility of mI-SMART, a HIPAA compliant, web-based, structure of mHealth sensors and mobile devices designed to overcome the known health determinant of access to care for rural, chronically ill patients by using technology. Methods: The study was conducted at a primary-care clinic that provided healthcare at no or low cost to low income adults. Inclusion criteria encompassed adults, with at least one chronic condition, having at least 3rd grade reading level, without having dementia/psychosis. Each participant was given a Nexus7 tablet and Bluetooth self-monitoring devices. Feasibility was evaluated in four ways and acceptability was evaluated with post-intervention questionnaires. Results: Thirty participants [mean age: 52 years (SD: 10.0, range: 29 - 74)] were majority female (70%), white (70%), married (60%), high-school educated or less (56.7%), impoverished (less than $20,000 per annum (56.7%), with multiple chronic conditions (96.7%)). During the trial, all participants were able to transmit data. No error messages were due to the mI-SMART system. Errors were user related and solved with technical support. Mean number of self-monitor transmissions was 219.7 [(SD: 197.4), range: 1 - 733]. Participants logged into the system an average of 163. 1 [(SD: 169.7), range: 2 - 568] times and viewed an average of 1092.1 [(SD: 1205.6), range: 8 - 3851] intervention components. Over eighty-six percent of participants sent data for 12 weeks and 43.1% used the intervention for longer. Conclusions: The mI-SMART system is a feasible option for impoverished persons living in rural areas.
文摘Background: The treatment of Multiple Chronic Conditions (MCC) is complex for both patients and providers. Used as integrated tools, technology may decrease complexity, remove the barrier of distance to obtain care, and improve outcomes of care. A new platform that integrates multiple technologies for primary health care called mI SMART (Mobile Improvement of Self-Management Ability through Rural Technology) has been developed. The purpose of this paper is to present to development of mI SMART, a nurse-led technology intervention for treating for MCC in primary care. Methods: The creation of mI SMART was guided by the model for developing complex nursing interventions. The model suggests a process for building and informing interventions with the intention of effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability. Each step in the model builds from and informs the previous step. Results: The process resulted in the integrated technologies of mI SMART. The system combines a HIPAA compliant, web-based, structure of mHealth sensors and mobile devices to treat and monitor multiple chronic conditions within an existing free primary care clinic. The mI SMART system allows patients to track diagnoses, medications, lab results, receive reminders for self-management, perform self-monitoring, obtain feedback in real time, engage in education, and attend visits through video conferencing. The system displays a record database to patients and providers that will be integrated into existing Electronic Health Records. Conclusion: By using the model for developing complex nursing interventions, a multifaceted solution to clinical problems was identified. Through modeling and seeking expert review, we have established a sustainable and scalable integrated nurse-led intervention that may increase access and improve outcomes for patients living in rural and underserved areas. The first trial of mI SMART has been completed and evaluated for feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness in persons in rural areas living with multiple chronic conditions.
