title: Impact of a primary-based telemonitoring programme in HRQOL, satisfaction and usefulness in a sample of older adults with chronic diseases in Valencia (Spain).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic patients are frequent users of healthcare services and are prone to hospital admissions. In Valencia (Spain) the Valcronic programme aims to manage chronic patients through different levels of telemonitoring and telecare. This paper examines the impact of the Valcronic programme on self-perceived HRQOL in a one-year period and on perceptions of satisfaction and usefulness in a sample of older adults with chronic diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample (n=74) was randomly selected from Valcronic users and was stratified considering different variables. HRQOL was assessed using the EQ-5D questionnaire at two points in time: before the beginning of the Valcronic programme and after a one-year follow-up. Satisfaction and usefulness were evaluated one year after users' inclusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The whole sample experienced improvement, although not significant, of its HRQOL; patients over 75 showed impairment. Patients with at least one problem in the EQ-5D dimensions decreased after one year (82.43% vs. 74.32%). Users' perceptions of satisfaction and usefulness were highly positive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our sample benefited from the Valcronic programme, experiencing an improvement in their HRQOL, a decreased use of health resources or high satisfaction levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further adjustments are needed to address a comprehensive response to the needs of the global population of reference.
authors.affiliation: Polibienestar Research Institute, University of Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: ascension.donate@uv.es.
authors.forename: Ascensión
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doñate-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Polibienestar Research Institute, University of Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ródenas
authors.affiliation: Polibienestar Research Institute, University of Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garcés
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine; D013686:Telemetry / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Chronic patients; Health related to quality of life; Older adults; Primary care; Satisfaction; Telemonitoring