A multidisciplinary telehealth program in patients with combined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic heart failure: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic heart failure (CHF) frequently coexist, significantly reducing patients' quality of life and increasing morbidity and mortality. For either single disease, a multidisciplinary disease-management approach supported by telecommunication technologies offers the best outcome in terms of prolonged survival and reduced hospital readmissions. However, no data exist in patients with combined COPD/CHF. We planned a randomized controlled trial to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of an integrated, home-based, medical/nursing intervention plus a rehabilitation program versus conventional care in patients with coexisting COPD/CHF. The purpose of the paper is to describe the rationale and design of the trial.

Methods/

SUBMITTER: Bernocchi P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5034626 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature