My COPD solution HealthQuest Solutions Limited

Healthcare Solutions Limited set out to develop a national solution for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) self-management. They wanted to create a single system that could replace the many different systems used by trusts and clinical commissioning groups around the UK, to save them time and money, and to make it easy for services to follow best practice. 

The team developed myCOPD, a solution made up of a web-based system plus a holdall for the patient to store their medications, self-management literature, oxygen alert card and inhaler diary. The website offers patients personalised tools and information, including a self-management plan, local weather forecasting and video tutorials showing correct inhaler technique. It also supports the sharing of information with practice nurses, community pharmacists and doctors.

Who was involved

Working with HealthQuest Solutions Limited on the project were University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust, information design engineers Innovate Design, holdall manufacturer MC Products, and media companies South One Media and Absolute Web Design.

Outcomes

Over the three-month testing period, the COPD Assessment Tool symptom scores for the 36 patients using myCOPD improved significantly compared to the control group, improving by a mean of 4 points, with some patients improving by up to 10. Patients using myCOPD improved their inhaler technique and also reported better overall health and wellbeing.

Challenges

The patients testing myCOPD had an average age of 68 and most did not use a computer or the internet every day. However, all participants wanted to be more involved in their care and they all engaged with myCOPD.