Short-term Telehealth Follow up After Hospital Discharge for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation

Renewing Health RCT in Central Greece for the Evaluation of Short-term Telehealth Follow up After Hospital Discharge for COPD Exacerbation

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the introduction of a short-term telemonitoring program for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients discharged from the hospital after disease exacerbation produces benefits in terms of a reduction in hospital readmissions and health related quality of life. In addition the trials evaluate the economical and organisational impact of the services and examine their acceptability by patients and health professionals.

The purpose of this study is to the evaluate the use of a close phone-based tele-monitoring platform will reflected by less hospital re-admissions, will change their generic and disease specific quality of life compared with usual care. Following this; it is also hypothesized that this will also lead to less patients' deaths. In addition the patients' satisfaction using the telemedicine service will be studied. A Cost-Effective Analysis will evaluate the tele-health service compared with the usual care from the health and social perspective.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Exacerbation of COPD according to the GOLD guidelines
• Age > 40 years
• Capability to use the devices provided
• Willing to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

included in previous COPD monitoring study