Richardson J.1, Letts L.1, Sinclair S.1, Chan D.2, Sui H.2
1McMaster University, School of Rehabilitation Science, Hamilton, Canada, 2McMaster University, Dept of Family Medicine, Hamilton, Canada
Background: The global rise in chronic diseases, aging populations and associated rise in disability is a significant public health problem. Physiotherapists can support patients in self-monitoring their physical functioning and provide interventions to prevent physical functional decline to promote optimal aging.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the use of technology, specifically the Personal Health Record (PHR), to engage patients with chronic conditions in self-monitoring their physical function as a form of self-management in primary care settings.
Methods: A patient cohort with chronic conditions was followed for 18 months (n=73) within a family health team. They self-monitored their physical function by electronically completing assessments in their Personal Health Record which is linked to the electronic health record. The assessments they completed (baseline and 18 months) included the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) and a self-reported mobility survey. The physiotherapist and occupational therapists assessed the patients at baseline in person and then provided tailored rehabilitation strategies electronically to address the physical functional changes patients were experiencing at set intervals over the 18 month period. Patients could communicate with the physiotherapists and occupational therapists through the PHR.
Results: Descriptive analyses and paired t-tests using STATA 13 were used to estimate summary statistics at baseline and the difference between baseline and scores at 6 months respectively. There was a significant difference in the scores on the RAPA (p=0.05) but not on the mobility survey between the two time points.
Conclusion(s): This approach to using technology to monitor physical function and to provide strategies to optimize function was successful at increasing level of physical activity but did not improve self reported mobility.
Implications: The Personal Health Record is a viable way to monitor large groups of patients with chronic conditions in primary care who may be at risk of functional decline and problems with mobility. Physiotherapists and patients can use the PHR to communicate with each other about their functioning. This type of intervention results in increases in physical activity.
Funding acknowledgements: This project was funded through a grant from the Optimal Aging Opportunities Fund
Topic: Disability & rehabilitation
Ethics approval: Ethics approval from the McMaster ethics board # 15-559
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
