Transformations of practice in online exercise training for patients with COPD led by physiotherapists: a qualitative study

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to characterize the practice of telemediated training for patients with very severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and to inform the development of clinical/professional practice.

METHODS: Inspired by ethnographic methodology, participating observation, informal and formal interviews were conducted with patients (11), their partners (4), and physiotherapists (6) at sites where the telemediated training was practiced. Postphenomenology was used as theoretical and analytical framework.

RESULTS: Telemediated training in the homes of the patients takes place where most daily activities happen, and together with activities in the rehabilitation units they are included in the training in a reduced or amplified version that may compromise the privacy of the patients. The mediated image and sound challenge the training and communication activities and the possibility for the physiotherapists to estimate the condition of the patients. Consequently, the physiotherapists lower how much they push the patients in the exercises.

CONCLUSIONS: Making training accessible to very severely ill patients with COPD through homebased telemediation comes with several trade-offs. This study can be used to educate clinical practice before and during the practicing of telemediated services, which need to be organized in a way that allows continuous adjustment.IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICEThe technology itself is not a neutral device in online health care provision. Health professionals should therefore:Play an active role in structuring the content, communication, and inclusion of the patients' context during online health care provision.Receive training in how to spot ways in which online health care provision transforms traditional practice and to how to work around its limitations.Organize online health care practices in ways that allow for continuous adjustment (for which they need back up from management).