FEWER hospital admissions and more holidays – COPD telehealth is helping patients breathe easier and live fuller lives, according to a new UK-based trial. The study found that 24/7 access to remote care through the Epital Care Model reduced healthcare use and increased social engagement.
A New Approach to COPD Telehealth
As the number of older adults living with chronic illnesses rises, healthcare systems are under mounting pressure. Innovative web-based services, including COPD telehealth models like the Epital Care Model (ECM), offer a lifeline for patients and providers alike. Yet, until now, little evidence has documented their true impact on wellbeing and healthcare usage. This new study aimed to explore whether continuous COPD telehealth support could reduce service use and improve quality of life for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Methods and Measurable Benefits
In this pragmatic, modified stepped-wedge randomised controlled trial, 184 patients diagnosed with COPD under the GOLD guidelines were recruited across four locations. Participants were assigned either to standard GP-led care or an ECM-based complementary telehealth service staffed by certified nonprofessional personnel. Follow-up data at 8 and 12 months measured mental wellbeing (via the WHO-5 Well-Being Index), healthcare use, and social activity.
At 12 months, the COPD telehealth group demonstrated a significant reduction in healthcare service use: hospital admissions (0.51; P=.04), outpatient visits (0.49; P=.02), and GP consultations (0.25; P<.001) decreased by between 49% and 75%. Participants also reported increased participation in cultural events (up 73%) and foreign travel (up 150%), suggesting meaningful gains in social mobility and independence. Mental wellbeing improved notably in the telehealth group per protocol analysis, with a WHO-5 mean score of 68.68 compared with 59.70 in usual care (P=.01).
Looking Ahead: Implications for Clinical Practice
The study demonstrates that COPD telehealth, when integrated with existing GP services, can ease pressure on healthcare systems while empowering patients to lead more active lives. With reduced hospital visits and improved social engagement, this approach may represent a cost-effective and patient-centred model for chronic disease management.
Reference
Phanareth K et al. Reduced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease–related utilization of health care services and increased social activities by patients offered a 24/7 accessible telehealth service based on the epital care model: pragmatic modified stepped wedge randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2025;27:e65300.
