A mobile phone-based care model for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation: the care assessment platform (CAP).
BACKGROUND
Cardiac rehabilitation programs offer effective means to prevent recurrence of a cardiac event, but poor uptake of current programs have been reported globally. Home based models are considered as a feasible alternative to avoid various barriers related to care centre based programs. This paper sets out the study design for a clinical trial seeking to test the hypothesis that these programs can be better and more efficiently supported with novel Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).


METHODS
We have integrated mobile phones and web services into a comprehensive home- based care model for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Mobile phones with a built-in accelerometer sensor are used to measure physical exercise and WellnessDiary software is used to collect information on patients' physiological risk factors and other health information. Video and teleconferencing are used for mentoring sessions aiming at behavioural modifications through goal setting. The mentors use web-portal to facilitate personal goal setting and to assess the progress of each patient in the program. Educational multimedia content are stored or transferred via messaging systems to the patients phone to be viewed on demand. We have designed a randomised controlled trial to compare the health outcomes and cost efficiency of the proposed model with a traditional community based rehabilitation program. The main outcome measure is adherence to physical exercise guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
The study will provide evidence on using mobile phones and web services for mentoring and self management in a home-based care model targeting sustainable behavioural modifications in cardiac rehabilitation patients.


BACKGROUND
The trial has been registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) with number ACTRN12609000251224.
Walters
Darren L
DL
Cardiology Program, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia. lah10@optusnet.com.au
Sarela
Antti
A
Fairfull
Anita
A
Neighbour
Kylie
K
Cowen
Cherie
C
Stephens
Belinda
B
Sellwood
Tom
T
Sellwood
Bernadette
B
Steer
Marie
M
Aust
Michelle
M
Francis
Rebecca
R
Lee
Chi-Keung
CK
Hoffman
Sheridan
S
Brealey
Gavin
G
Karunanithi
Mohan
M
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D040421:Cell Phone; D006801:Humans; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012107:Research Design; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D016896:Treatment Outcome