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Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Telehealth Program in a Rural Palliative Care Population: TapCloud for Palliative Care.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Bonsignore, L; Bloom, N; Steinhauser, K; Nichols, R; Allen, T; Twaddle, M; Bull, J
Published in: J Pain Symptom Manage
July 2018

CONTEXT: The impact of telehealth and remote patient monitoring has not been well established in palliative care populations in rural communities. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to 1) describe a telehealth palliative care program using the TapCloud remote patient monitoring application and videoconferencing; 2) evaluate the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of a telehealth system in palliative care; and 3) use a quality data assessment collection tool in addition to TapCloud ratings of symptom burden and hospice transitions. METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was used to assess feasibility, usability, and acceptability. Quantitative assessments included patient symptom burden and improvement, hospice transitions, and advanced directives. Qualitative semistructured interviews on a subpopulation of telehealth patients, caregivers, and providers were performed to learn about their experiences using TapCloud. RESULTS: One-hundred one palliative care patients in rural Western North Carolina were enrolled in the program. The mean age of patients enrolled was 72 years, with a majority (60%) being female and a pulmonary diagnosis accounting for the largest percentage of patients (23%). Remote patient monitoring using TapCloud resulted in improved symptom management, and patients in the model had a hospice transition rate of 35%. Patients, caregivers, and providers reported overwhelmingly positive experiences with telehealth with three main advantages: 1) access to clinicians, 2) quick responses, and 3) improved efficiency and quality of care. CONCLUSION: This is one of the first articles to describe a telehealth palliative care program and to demonstrate acceptability, feasibility, and usability as well as describe symptom outcomes and hospice transitions.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

J Pain Symptom Manage

DOI

EISSN

1873-6513

Publication Date

July 2018

Volume

56

Issue

1

Start / End Page

7 / 14

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Videoconferencing
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Telemedicine
  • Smartphone
  • Rural Population
  • Quality of Health Care
  • Qualitative Research
  • Patient Transfer
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Palliative Care
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Bonsignore, L., Bloom, N., Steinhauser, K., Nichols, R., Allen, T., Twaddle, M., & Bull, J. (2018). Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Telehealth Program in a Rural Palliative Care Population: TapCloud for Palliative Care. J Pain Symptom Manage, 56(1), 7–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2018.03.013
Bonsignore, Lindsay, Nicholas Bloom, Karen Steinhauser, Reginald Nichols, Todd Allen, Martha Twaddle, and Janet Bull. “Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Telehealth Program in a Rural Palliative Care Population: TapCloud for Palliative Care.J Pain Symptom Manage 56, no. 1 (July 2018): 7–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2018.03.013.
Bonsignore L, Bloom N, Steinhauser K, Nichols R, Allen T, Twaddle M, et al. Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Telehealth Program in a Rural Palliative Care Population: TapCloud for Palliative Care. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2018 Jul;56(1):7–14.
Bonsignore, Lindsay, et al. “Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Telehealth Program in a Rural Palliative Care Population: TapCloud for Palliative Care.J Pain Symptom Manage, vol. 56, no. 1, July 2018, pp. 7–14. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2018.03.013.
Bonsignore L, Bloom N, Steinhauser K, Nichols R, Allen T, Twaddle M, Bull J. Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Telehealth Program in a Rural Palliative Care Population: TapCloud for Palliative Care. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2018 Jul;56(1):7–14.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Pain Symptom Manage

DOI

EISSN

1873-6513

Publication Date

July 2018

Volume

56

Issue

1

Start / End Page

7 / 14

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Videoconferencing
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Telemedicine
  • Smartphone
  • Rural Population
  • Quality of Health Care
  • Qualitative Research
  • Patient Transfer
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Palliative Care