Using wearables and self-management apps in patients with COPD: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Respiratory Medicine
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Wearable technology and self-management apps can enhance chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care through continuous monitoring and early detection.
• Patient adoption of technology is hindered by usability issues, disruption to daily life, and threats to identity or independence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patient preferences for wearable devices and mobile applications designed to aid in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 14 individuals diagnosed with COPD.
• Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes and concepts from recorded and transcribed interviews.

Main Results:

• Participants believe technology can improve daily management and exacerbation response by linking subjective feelings with objective data (oxygen saturation, heart rate, activity).
• Technology may alleviate fear and panic during exacerbations, offering reassurance and connection.
• Patients desire control over their data, seeking insights and alerts for potential exacerbations, with varied opinions on healthcare provider access.

Conclusions:

• Patients with COPD perceive substantial benefits from integrating wearable technology and mobile applications into their self-management strategies.