During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has emerged as an important alternative method. The investigation of the safety and effectiveness of telemedicine in the post-exacerbation follow-up of advanced-stage COPD patients and determining whether telemedicine-mediated healthcare service resulted in any differences in COPD assessment test (CAT) scores, inhaler treatment adherence, and technique compared to the face-to-face healthcare service. This was a prospective, randomized, controlled, method-based clinical research study. Patients who were hospitalized due to COPD exacerbation were included in the present study. The sealed envelope randomization method was adopted to divide these patients into 2 groups: the "telemedicine group" and the "control group". Both groups were then followed up for 3 months. The 0th visit was considered the initial visit, which was followed by the 1st visit on Day 10 post-initiation, the 2nd visit at 1 month, and the 3rd visit at 3 months, all assessed via teleconsultations. The COPD assessment questionnaire (CAT) scores, inhaler treatment adherence, and technique were compared between the groups. No significant differences existed between the two groups in terms of demographic data and disease characteristics at baseline assessment. At the end of 3 months, the CAT score was 9 (0–30) in the telemedicine group and 18 (0–34) in the control group (p = 0.019). The inhaler treatment technique was correct in 32 patients (91.4%) in the telemedicine group and 23 patients (65.7%) in the control group (p = 0.02). Inhaler treatment adherence was observed in 70.6% of the patients in the telemedicine group and 55.9% of the patients in the control group at the 3-month time point (p > 0.05). Telemedicine has improved the quality of life of advanced-stage COPD patients and their inhaler techniques. It may, therefore, be considered a promising alternative to traditional face-to-face follow-ups, although various technical infrastructures and legal regulations are necessary. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06477328, Registration Date: 21.06.2024.
Dogan et al. (Tue,) studied this question.