Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
Evaluating a Web-Based Coaching Program Using Electronic Health Records for Patients With Chronic Obstructive
Lan Wang1, Lin He2, Yanxia Tao1
1Community Nursing Section, School of Nursing, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Insights
A web-based coaching program using electronic health records (EHRs) improved physical function and quality of life for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) post-discharge. This innovative approach supports continuous care and disease management in China.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Health Informatics
- Digital Health
Background:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing global health concern, projected to be the third leading cause of death by 2020.
- Effective post-discharge care is crucial for managing COPD patients' health.
- Electronic health records (EHRs) represent a novel technology for community healthcare in China.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a web-based coaching program utilizing EHRs for patients with COPD in China.
- To assess the program's impact on physical function and health-related quality of life.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted between 2008 and 2015.
- The intervention group received routine care plus a web-based coaching program using EHRs for patient management and communication.
- Outcomes included lung function (FEV1%, FVC%, PEF), St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (MMRC), and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT).
Main Results:
- Statistically significant improvements were observed in lung function parameters (FEV1%, FVC%, PEF) in the intervention group.
- The intervention group showed significant improvements in SGRQ total score, symptoms, activity, and impact scores.
- Significant positive changes were noted in MMRC scores and 6-Minute Walk Test distances.
Conclusions:
- The web-based coaching program using EHRs is beneficial for COPD patients after hospital discharge in China.
- The program facilitates information sharing between healthcare providers and enables dynamic patient management.
- It helps to slow lung function decline, enhance quality of life, reduce dyspnea, and increase physical capacity.
Background:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is now the fourth leading cause of death in the world, and it continues to increase in developing countries. The World Health Organization expects COPD to be the third most common cause of death in the world by 2020. Effective and continuous postdischarge care can help patients to maintain good health. The use of electronic health records (EHRs) as an element of community health care is new technology in China.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a Web-based coaching program using EHRs for physical function and health-related quality of life for patients with COPD in China.
Methods:
A randomized controlled trial was conducted from 2008 to 2015 at two hospitals. The control group received routine care and the intervention group received routine care with the addition of the Web-based coaching program using EHRs. These were used to manage patients' demographic and clinical variables, publish relevant information, and have communication between patients and health care providers. Participants were not blinded to group assignment. The effects of the intervention were evaluated by lung function, including percent of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%), percent of forced vital capacity (FVC%), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximum midexpiratory flow; St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ); Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (MMRC); and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Data were collected before the program, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the program.
Results:
Of the 130 participants, 120 (92.3%) completed the 12-month follow-up program. There were statistically significant differences in lung function (FEV1%: F1,4=5.47, P=.002; FVC%: F1,4=3.06, P=.02; PEF: F1,4=12.49, P<.001), the total score of SGRQ (F1,4=23.30, P<.001), symptoms of SGRQ (F1,4=12.38, P<.001), the activity of SGRQ (F1,4=8.35, P<.001), the impact of SGRQ (F1,4=12.26, P<.001), MMRC (F1,4=47.94, P<.001), and 6MWT (F1,4=35.54, P<.001) between the two groups with the variation of time tendency.
Conclusions:
The Web-based coaching program using EHRs in China appears to be useful for patients with COPD when they are discharged from hospital into the community. It promotes the sharing of patients' medical information by hospital and community nurses, and achieves dynamic management and follow-up analysis for patients' disease. In addition, this program can postpone the decreasing rate of lung function, improve quality of life, decrease dyspnea, and increase physical capacity.
More Related Videos
06:28E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
04:24Acupoint Application as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Fatigue Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: September 5, 2025
Related Concept Videos
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:29Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
01:30Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Nursing Management
Assessment
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction