Improving patient adherence through digital monitoring tools in spirometry

In the era of telemedicine and smart spirometry, improving patient adherence through digital monitoring tools may be a way to ensure better outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and an overall improvement in quality of life for millions worldwide. In this article, we will examine the importance of smart spirometry for the monitoring of respiratory diseases and define strategies to improve patient education and consistency.

Studies have shown that outcomes for patients with chronic respiratory issues remain poor despite the development of novel therapies. But why is that? One of the reasons behind this counter-intuitive data is that patient adherence to therapy is low, and clinicians may lack accurate methods to assess this issue.

Fortunately, the last decades have seen substantial improvements in digital technology, bringing us to a point where these tools may be key to overcoming such barriers.

Managing asthma and COPD in the digital era

Patients suffering from long-term respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD are often required to follow complex treatment regimens. These treatment plans typically include both rescue medications for acute symptoms or crises and long-term maintenance medications. While it is easy to rely on treatment in the first case, the latter often requires greater effort for patients to properly adhere to schedules.

Optimal self-management usually involves multiple components, such as measuring lung function and recording symptoms, which are not always easy for patients to maintain. This is where digital technologies can help.

Among the most effective strategies, we can find:

• Web-based and mobile devices and applications to monitor lung function and record symptoms
• Digital reminders, such as messaging platforms or in-device reminder options

Advantages of digital applications for patient adherence in lung condition monitoring

With telemedicine and digital tools like peak flow meters becoming part of standard monitoring procedures, new scenarios are opening up for both patients and healthcare professionals. When patients are compliant with treatments, many advantages follow. Below is an analysis of the main ones.

Better precision

Digital applications allow for the collection of longitudinal patient data, providing a detailed and precise basis for understanding disease progression. They help healthcare professionals differentiate between symptoms or changes in lung function caused by poor treatment adherence or medication discontinuation and those indicating refractory disease or true disease progression.

Prediction of future changes in lung function

Digitally collected patient data enable the identification of biomarkers that help predict future exacerbations, representing a key strategy for improving long-term health outcomes in respiratory patients.

Greater customization of treatments

Digital technologies help gather physiological parameters over time, providing unique objective insights not only into disease progression but also into behavioral aspects of a patient’s life (e.g., activity levels, environmental exposures, and medication adherence).

In addition, information from connected devices can be integrated with patients’ electronic medical records to facilitate clinical decision-making.

Greater penetration of healthcare expertise

Low-income patients or individuals living in remote areas may not be adequately supported by traditional healthcare systems. This often results in poor disease understanding and low medication use. Smart spirometry can be a game-changer in this scenario: it helps reduce healthcare costs and enables access to patients in their homes through wireless connections. This approach makes data collection easier, while dealers and distributors can train local pharmacists to support patients in using devices and performing procedures correctly.

Strategies to improve patient adherence in smart spirometry

Once the advantages of digital tools in smart spirometry have been highlighted, one question remains: how can patient adherence to treatment and monitoring be effectively improved?

The key is to build stronger habits through education, follow-up, and appropriate tools:

1. Provide training. No matter how user-friendly tools and devices are, patients must understand how to use them. Even a simple inhaler requires basic instruction to be used properly. Do not underestimate this aspect and be prepared to offer additional training if low adherence is linked to poor understanding
2. Include reminders for medications and remote tests. Non-adherence is often unintentional, as patients may forget medications or struggle with complex regimens. When electronic reminders are unavailable, a simple text message can be an effective way to maintain contact and encourage consistency
3. Educate patients about their disease. Patients who better understand their condition are more likely to adhere to treatments and engage in other beneficial healthy behaviors

Finding the best smart device for your patients

With over 30 years of experience and products distributed in more than 100 countries, MIR is a global leader in the field of spirometry and oximetry.

Our product range includes award-winning spirometers and peak flow meters designed for remote care, offering accurate and reliable solutions with a strong focus on simplicity and ease of use, as well as comprehensive tool for professional environments. Our personal-use devices allow for rapid result sharing, for better follow-up and monitoring.

Visit the dedicated page on our website to find the solution that best suits your needs.

***********************************************

[SOURCE: European Respiratory Journal - https://publications.ersnet.org/content/erj/52/5/1801147]