Telerehabilitation for COPD patients across sectors: using technology to promote community of practice among healthcare professionals

Abstract

Introduction: The TELEKAT project ("Telehomecare, chronic patients and the integrated healthcare system") has developed a telere-habilitation programme enabling patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to perform preventive home monitoring across sectors. The goal of the project is to help patients avoid readmission to hospital, perform self-monitoring and to maintain rehabilitation activities in their homes. The study includes COPD patients with severe and very severe COPD (n=111). Nurses and doctors at a hospital, GPs, district nurses and nurses from a healthcare center have monitored COPD patients in the programme.