Mixed methods protocol to examine the acceptability and clinical characteristics of a remote monitoring programme for delivery of COVID-19 care, among healthcare staff and patients

ABSTRACT

IntroductionThe use of remote monitoring technology to manage the care of patients with COVID-19 has been implemented to help reduce the burden placed on healthcare systems during the pandemic and protect the well-being of both staff and patients. Remote monitoring allows patients to record their signs and symptoms remotely (eg, while self-isolating at home) rather than requiring hospitalisation. Healthcare staff can, therefore, continually monitor their symptoms and be notified when the patient is showing signs of clinical deterioration. However, given the recency of the COVID-19 outbreak, there is a lack of research regarding the acceptance of remote monitoring interventions to manage COVID-19. This study will aim to evaluate the use of remote monitoring for managing COVID-19 cases from the perspective of both the patient and healthcare staff.Methods and analysisDischarged patients from a large urban teaching hospital in Ireland, who have undergone remote monitoring for COVID-19, will be recruited to take part in a cross-sectional study consisting of a quantitative survey and a qualitative interview. A mixed methods design will be used to understand the experiences of remote monitoring from the perspective of the patient. Healthcare staff who have been involved in the provision of remote monitoring of patients with COVID-19 will be recruited to take part in a qualitative interview to understand their experiences with the process. Structural equation modelling will be used to examine the acceptance of the remote monitoring technology. Latent class analysis will be used to identify COVID-19 symptom profiles. Interview data will be examined using thematic analysis.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been granted by the ethical review boards at University College Dublin and the National Research Ethics Committee for COVID-19-related Research. Findings will be disseminated via publications in scientific journals, policy briefs, short reports and social media.