Developing a novel communication system to deliver group-based pulmonary rehabilitation in the home via the internet: widening access for patients
Project timescale: 01/02/09 - 30/11/10
Funder: Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland
Project team:
Professor David Godden: d.godden@abdn.ac.uk
Andrea Taylor: andrea@distancelab.org
The Centre for Rural Health in Inverness, and Distance Lab, a Forres based digital media research institute, are to work together to develop a new communication system that will enable suffers of chronic lung disease to participate in group rehabilitation exercises in the comfort of their own homes. The research has been funded by a £63,000 grant from Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - which includes lung diseases like chronic bronchitis and emphysema - is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the UK, affecting at least 900,000 people. Rehabilitation groups led by therapists can improve symptoms and quality of life for patients, but may not be accessible to people living in more remote places. In the Highlands of Scotland there are over 4,500 people with COPD, of whom almost half live in the most peripheral general practice areas, remote from specialist clinic facilities. Travel demands means that many patients are unable to attend exercise groups.
The grant will be used to develop and trial a system that will enable patients to undertake rehabilitation exercises in a group from their own homes via the internet, through the use of a novel video-conferencing system. "Evidence shows that being in a group setting and performing the exercises together with other patients gives sufferers much needed support and improves their outcome. This project will investigate how to use Internet-based communication to maintain this group effect while patients participate in exercises in their own homes.” said Professor David Godden from the Centre for Rural Health.
The 18 month project, due to commence in February, will investigate the feasibility of a rehabilitation programme being delivered over a distance using internet-based audiovisual communication and explore ways in which to enhance the patient’s experience through interactive design, visualisation and physiological monitoring.
“We are delighted to have been awarded this grant in partnership with the Centre for Rural Health” Dr Stefan Agamanolis, Chief Executive of Distance Lab said “Digital media technology is creating incredible opportunities for rural health service delivery and empowering remote patients to take ownership of their health care”.
Professor Godden concludes, “This project addresses an important therapy for people with a debilitating lung disease. It examines the use of communication technology that will widen the availability of services and improve the quality of life for people regardless of their location or their ability to travel to hospitals for treatment”.
Distance Lab is a creative research institute bringing together digital media technology, design and the arts to redefine and overcome the disadvantages of distance in learning, health care, relationships, culture and other domains. The Lab is based in Forres, Moray. For more information on Distance Lab and its projects visit www.distancelab.org Distance Lab is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Highland & Islands Enterprises (HIE) the Scottish Government's economic development agency for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. HIE work with private businesses and enterprising public and third sector organisations to build sustainable economic growth. Visit www.hie.co.uk
Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland is a Scottish-based charity which provides care and support for people and families affected, and funds research into prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and the social impact of chest, heart and stroke illness. Visit http://www.chss.org.uk/
PROJECT OUPTPUTS:
Poster presentation
P51 Group-based pulmonary rehabilitation delivered to the home via the Internet - a feasibility study. Godden D, Taylor A, Colligan J and Aitken A.
Poster presentation at The British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting on 1-3 December 2010 at The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary, Westminister, London
further information here
Group-based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Poster
Group Pulmonary Rehabilitation Delivered to the Home via the Internet: Feasibility and Patient Perception Andrea Taylor, Angus Aitken, David Godden, Judith Colligan. Presentation by Andrea Taylor CHI 2011 7-12 May 2011 Vancouver, BC, Canada