Tuesday October 2nd,
2:00 – 5:00 pm

Video-based telehomecare (THC) or home telehealth is an emerging option for the delivery of disease management programs. Telecommunications technology is used to provide video-based face-to-face communication, observation, and remote monitoring of heart and lung sounds, blood pressure, temperature, pulse, weight, and blood glucose levels in the home. An aging population and the corresponding increased incidence of chronic illness in many countries around the world means healthcare providers are searching for efficient ways to deliver quality care.

The East York Telehomecare Project (2003-2006) enrolled 150 patients who were living with chronic illness in the community over three years and conducted nearly 3000 video-based telehomecare visits. More than 80% of the patients lived alone. The ratio of males and females was 43% and 57%. Patient outcomes were evaluated using both a telehomecare satisfaction survey and in-depth patient interviews. Results revealed that the majority of patients (80%) were satisfied with clinician monitoring and learned to better self-manage their illnesses using remote monitoring and video visits. The average length of stay was 159 days on service. Highlights of telehomecare best practice protocols, the telehomecare model of delivery, and a model of patient adaptation to telehomecare will be presented.

Projects partners included East York CCAC, Toronto East General Hospital, Comcare, Woodgreen, Clinidata, Centennial College, and York University. The project was funded by CANARIE, OIT, CFI, ORF, and the project partners. Telehomecare equipment used was from American Telecare.

Biography

Diane Duff graduated with a PhD in Nursing from the University of Calgary in 2002; an MScN in Nursing from University of Toronto (1997); a Bachelor of Nursing (1982) and a Diploma in Nursing from Ryerson, (1977). Her programs of research centre on: telehomecare, chronic illness, and traumatic brain injury. Diane is a CNA certified Neuroscience Nurse. She teaches both graduate and undergraduate research courses. This paper is co-authored by Dr. Mina Singh and Dr. Janet Jeffrey (York University) and Dr. Lynda Atack (Centennial College) who are co-investigators on the telehomecare projects funded by CANARIE, OIT, CFI, and ORF.