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Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of home telehealth care combined with case management by public health nurses, in improving blood pressure control in patients with hypertension.Methods: This cohort study examined the data of patients with hypertension obtained from a telehealth service centre database, between July 2011- June 2012. Eligible patients were adults (≥40 years old) with both prehypertension and hypertension, living alone or in the remote suburbs of metropolitan areas. Demographic data were collected from 12 district public health centre in Taipei, Taiwan. Following enrolment, patients received an appropriate and validated home telehealth device kit for automatic blood pressure monitoring and automated modem via a telephone line or a desktop computer with Internet connection to enable data transmission between the patient's home and telehealth service centre. Patients were instructed to upload the measured data immediately every day. The study outcomes included blood pressure and home telehealth service utilisation.Results: Of the 432 patients recruited, 408 (94%) completed data collection. Linear regression analysis found an average 22.1 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure after one year. The mean slope of systolic blood pressure was classified as decreased or non-decreased. An systolic blood pressure decreasing trend was observed in 52.2% patients, while 47.8% patients showed an increasing systolic blood pressure trend. Patients in the decreased systolic blood pressure group tended to be older ( p = 0. 0001), with a greater proportion of hypertension alarms ( p = 0. 001), improved self-blood pressure monitoring behaviour ( p = 0.009) and higher self-measured blood pressure monitoring frequency ( p = 0. 010). Patients in the decreased systolic blood pressure group had a higher self-measured blood pressure monitoring frequency (odds ratio = 0.95, 95% confidence interval, 0.91-0.99, p = 0. 013) than their counterparts.Conclusions: Home telehealth care combined with care management by public health nurses based in public health care centre was feasible and effective for improving blood pressure control among patients with hypertension. Further studies should conduct a thorough analysis of the cost-effectiveness of this intervention. A randomised controlled trial with a longer follow-up period is required to examine the effects of the improved home telehealth device kit on the care of patients with hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To describe use of home telehealth care as an alternative for chronic disease management from users' perspective. Background As the population ages, telehealth is increasingly being used to tackle problems related to the fast growing ageing population. Home telehealth care therefore poses challenges and offers opportunities for patients and healthcare providers. Design A qualitative approach was adopted with a purposeful sample of 20 patients residing in Taiwan. Method Patients who had received the service for three months and were willing to share their experiences were recruited. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews with semi-structured interview guideline ( n = 8) and a focus group discussion ( n = 12) in 2010. A qualitative content analysis was used. Results Four key themes were identified: perceived support and security, enhanced disease self-management, concerned with using the devices and worries about the cost by patients. Most users favoured using the service to control their chronic conditions because of its convenience and accessibility, and their condition could be measured daily to enhance their sense of security. Users could determine and understand changes in their condition and improve medical regimen compliance, and they were empowered to revise their lifestyles for better disease self-management. However, users were concerned about the utility of the service, because they were unfamiliar with the operating procedures and doubted its quality. As the service is still in stage of pilot testing, users worried about possible cost and reimbursement policy changes in the future. Conclusion Most users perceived telehealth care was a convenient and useful model for healthcare-delivery. It increased the availability of health care and improved the self-care ability of patients. Relevance to clinical practice To advocate for home telehealth care, nurses must play an active role in providing consumers with proper training and support for any problems when adopting the system to foster patients' willingness to use this service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]