Telemedicine Enabling Patients in Self-care Behaviors

Telemedicine Enabling Patients in Self-care Behaviors

The purpose of the study is to see if monthly telemedicine computer visits (visits using the computer) improve the time it takes to identify and treat an arrhythmia. The second purpose is to see if monthly telemedicine computer visits improves the participant's understanding of the arrhythmia and improves how the participant feels with daily activities.

Study will utilize the Telemedicine group and the Standard Visit group (30 patients each group) to determine

Endpoints:

1. Time of recognition, time of diagnosis and time of intervention for arrhythmia. These times will be noted for each patient in each group and look for any difference in these times based upon gaining information from telemedicine visits versus 6 month follow up visit.
2. Three surveys of patient Self efficacy of medications, activity, and arrhythmia knowledge utilizing three surveys in each group. Surveys will be answered at the start of the study and end of the study by every patient within each group.

Surveys:

MUSE- Medication Understanding and Self Efficacy Tool Shortened FSES- Functioning self efficacy scale ASTA- Arrhythmia specific symptoms and health related quality of life in connection with heart rhythm disturbance

Inclusion Criteria:

• Read and speak English
• 18 years of age or older
• Have a cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis
• Are willing to participate in the study and answer a pre and post survey.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any difficulty in understanding the study
• Does not have internet or a cell phone data plan
• Any life threatening arrhythmias
• Objection to working with nurse practitioners and physician assistants