ABSTRACT
Purpose: To determine whether a nurse-led care model with telemonitoring in primary care for patients with stable heart failure and their caregivers is feasible and acceptable. Patients and Methods: A mixed-methods feasibility study was conducted. Patients with stable heart failure and their caregivers were consecutively enrolled from March 2021 to April 2022. Participants were managed by nurses in a community health center through education and monitoring with a mobile app. The outcomes were feasibility outcomes, self-care outcomes, and qualitative acceptability and satisfaction. Quantitative and qualitative outcomes were linked to understanding how the model of care might benefit patients. Results: Twenty-six patients and nine of their caregivers were enrolled. Ten participants used the mobile app. Nineteen patients and eight caregivers were interviewed. Participants who improved their self-care appreciated the help in finding coping strategies, being close to the clinic, and feeling cared for. Participants with fewer improvements in self-care perceived the model of care as useless and were far from the centre. Participants decided to use the app mainly for usefulness prevision, and most of them were satisfied. Conclusion: The model of care was not successful in recruiting patients, and adjustments are needed to improve the recruitment strategy and to engage people who perceive the model of care as not useful or unable to use the app.
ABSTRACT
. The TeMP_cardio Model for the district management of heart failure patients: a feasibility study for the implementation of the family nurse. INTRODUCTION: The need to enhance primary health nursing care and chronic disease management requires the development of complex and feasible models in local contexts. AIM: To test the feasibility of a complex care model, based on the introduction of the family and community nurse for patients with stable heart failure and their caregivers. METHODS: A pre-post six-month feasibility study was conducted in 2021-2022 in the Autonomous Province of Trento. Patients with stable heart failure able to access services were taken in charge with a multidisciplinary model, with the nurse as care manager, and technological and telemonitoring support. RESULTS: 26 patients out of 137 were included and nine of their caregivers. Ten participants accepted to use the mobile app. Twenty-three patients and seven caregivers completed the study, and the app was used regularly by five participants. Self-care skills improved in patients, mostly in self-monitoring, less in caregivers. One access to the emergency department for heart failure exacerbation was detected. CONCLUSIONS: The model was evaluated feasible to retain patients, with the need to build effective strategies for the recruitment, and the regular use of telemonitoring tools.
Subject(s)
Heart Failure , Mobile Applications , Caregivers , Chronic Disease , Feasibility Studies , Heart Failure/therapy , HumansABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic had a great impact on pre and post-natal care, and, more generally, on the female population. Health services have been characterized by significant changes that have involved a review and reorganization of care pathways and clinical practices. The midwife continued to play a key role for the health of women and children, for the continuity of care and for a health-oriented approach throughout their life. The experience of the Pre and Post Natal Care of the Autonomous Province of Trento ensured the continuity of care during the pandemic thanks to the activation of a well-established Hospital-Territory network. The dedicated Case Manager Midwife allowed continuity and appropriateness of care during all phases of the birth pathway. The possibility of having the first interview electronically led to a continuous annual increase in the first interviews. In addition, for all women in the third trimester of pregnancy, the antenatal classes are organized remotely, using simple IT supports, in videoconferencing mode, maintaining homogeneous contents and objectives throughout the territory. The involvement of fathers from the early stages of pregnancy has shown the value of co-parenting even during the pandemic. This organizational model rooted in the territory and in the network of connection between the Territory and the Hospital proved to be a resource to withstand the impact of the emergency and guaranteed appropriate and timely assistance to women, fathers and the family.