LungFlareCare: Development and evaluation of a new web-based educational resource.

Abstract

Introduction/Aim: Recovery from respiratory exacerbations is often sub-optimal for multifactorial reasons. The delivery of accurate, accessible information regarding patients' condition and priorities of care (e.g., pulmonary rehabilitation) during this time can be challenging. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a new unique, high quality, co-designed web resource to help address this issue. Method(s): The study followed mixed-methods co-design principles (figure). Qualitative interviews with 8 patients, 2 carers and 9 multidisciplinary healthcare professionals regarding COPD exacerbations and pulmonary rehabilitation were conducted, coded and thematically analysed. Themes informed the design of a comprehensive web-based international Delphi survey involving 20 expert clinician-researchers rating the importance of individual education items. Consensus items informed website construction with draft sections reviewed by healthcare professionals and consumers. Pilot implementation and real-world evaluation of the final resource was undertaken via physiotherapist-led tablet-device administration to 19 inpatients with acute exacerbations of COPD across a metropolitan hospital network (June-October 2022). Survey feedback was captured from physiotherapists and patients prior to discharge and via one-month follow-up phone calls. Result(s): 53 items reached consensus during the Delphi survey. Tablet-administered education was feasible. Survey data (n = 17) showed 88% of inpatients found the resource useful and 82% reported an increased willingness to participate in pulmonary rehabilitation. Several patients remarked they gained new insights into their disease management: ' There's a lot of stuff in here. Things I thought were a waste of time aren't.There's a lot more I can do to help me than I knew '. Website engagement decreased after discharge (42% declined follow-up feedback). Physiotherapists described high levels of satisfaction with the resource and improved time and care efficiencies. Conclusion(s): www.lungflarecare.com is a new educational resource that can aid the delivery of high quality care for people with acute respiratory exacerbations.