Overview
Digital health interventions, including remote monitoring of patients, have been identified as a possible way to address current problems within the health service, including insufficient numbers of staff, and an increasing number of patients requiring services.
The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of using remote monitoring for patients who are receiving palliative care and to see whether remote monitoring can improve care and outcomes for patients and their families.
Participants in this study will complete regular (daily, weekly, monthly) questionnaires online about how they are feeling. They will also be given equipment to measure their vital signs every day. The clinical team will have access to the results and be able to respond to any new problems as they arise. Patients and their carers will then complete a questionnaire at one month to assess satisfaction with the use of remote monitoring.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Primary diagnosis of advanced cancer or another life-limiting condition
- Estimated prognosis greater than 3 months
- Referred for community-based specialist palliative care
- Living in own home (or home of family carer)
- Living with a family carer
Exclusion Criteria:
- Estimated prognosis less than 3 months or more than 12 months
- Cognitive impairment - unable to provide consent / complete assessments
- Non-English speaker
- Living in care home / nursing home / hospice / community hospital
- Not living with a family carer