Life-long Monitoring of COPD in Veneto Region
Life-long Monitoring of COPD in Veneto Region
The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the introduction of large-scale
 telemonitoring of patients with COPD produces benefits in terms of improved health-related
 quality of life and reduced access to hospital facilities. In addition, the trial evaluates
 the economic and organisational impact of the new services, and examine their acceptability
 by patients and health professionals.
The study is designed to evaluate the impact of telemonitoring on the management of COPD
 compared with outpatient usual care. From a clinical point of view, the trial will allow to
 investigate how telemonitoring contributes to improve COPD patients health-related quality of
 life and reduct the access to hospital facilities (re-hospitalizations, bed-days,
 specialistic and ER visits) and the anxiety about health conditions. A cost-effectiveness and
 cost-utility analysis will be carried out in order to determine if and how telemonitoring
 helps to limit the healthcare expenditure. The evaluation will deal also with organizational
 changes and task shift due to telemonitoring introduction and patients and professionals
 perception towards the service.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Age ≥ 18 years.

 -  COPD GOLD class 3-4

 -  Life expectance > 12 months

 Exclusion Criteria:

 • Patient unable to use the equipment provided (alone or assisted).