Experience with home telehealth to support disease management in teenagers with asthma

Abstract

We explored the role of home telehealth in teenagers’ asthma management. Six female teenagers were identified at the asthma clinic of the Alberta Children's Hospital. Qualitative interviews were conducted with the teenagers, their parents and their health care providers before and after they used a home unit to report peak flow and adherence to asthma self-management plans. The equipment was used for three months. Using social cognitive theory allowed five themes to be identified: usability of technology, using technology, technology and personal factors, technology and environmental factors, and technology and behavioural factors. The unsuccessful experience with peak flow data transmission suggested that testing the usability of an approved technology with a particular group of patients is important. Disease status, self-efficacy and asthma management behaviour prior to using the technology, as well as access to healthcare facilities, all seem likely to influence the role of technology in disease management.