Chronically-ill to send GP daily reports with computers

Published on Tuesday 24 February 2009 08:55

CHRONICALLY-ILL patients are being given computers so they can send their doctors a daily health report from their homes.

Under the new scheme, the technology is being handed to 400 patients in a bid to cut hospital admissions, trips to the doctor and small ailments escalating to life-threatening ones.

Early indications from trials show it can reduce the number of hospital trips – scheduled and emergency – in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke and diabetic patients by almost a third.

The technology allows a patient to undertake a questionnaire every day to build a picture of their current state of health.

They are asked what symptoms they are experiencing and which medication they are on at the time.

Depending on their illness, other testing can also take place in the home, with equipment attached to the computer to monitor blood sugar levels, weight and even the lungs.

These devices download the results on to a computer with the figures sent directly to the local GP, who analyses them and decides what course of action, if any, is needed.

The doctor also has the option of video conferencing so they can see the patient for themselves thanks to a webcam in the patient's home.

Dr Brian McKinstry, a West Lothian GP, is one of the leading clinicians in the study.

The Blackburn-based doctor said: "This initiative offers excellent benefits to patients by allowing them more control of their condition.

"It allows the patient to carry out self-monitoring while still being supervised by a clinician.

"This ensures the safe management of the patient, provides added reassurance and more frequent patient/clinician contact."

As well as allowing the people involved more consistent monitoring – and cutting trips to clinics and surgeries – it also means small problems associated with chronic conditions can be nipped in the bud before they escalate into something more serious.

The scheme was developed by the Intel Digital Health Group, which said it expected the use of telehealth to grow as the population ages and chronic illness subsequently increases.

Ahead of today's official launch of the telehealth project, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Using technology in innovative ways like this can transform people's lives.

"This touchscreen technology will save hundreds of people from making repeated trips into hospital, making a huge difference to their quality of life."

Like a breath of fresh air for Raymond

RAYMOND BOWES was sceptical when his GP told him a small home computer could significantly improve his health.

But six months on, the 49-year-old West Lothian man, who has battled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for five years, is a complete convert.

He was one of the first people in the country to benefit from the telehealth initiative, and he says it has kept him clear of significant illness and, for the first time since he was diagnosed, his health is not deteriorating.

Mr Bowes, a father-of-four and former steel foundry worker from Blackburn, said: "This has really changed my life to be honest. the

"When you have chronic lung disease there is a very fine line between being well and unwell."

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