One clinical problem that is a significant opportunity for improvement is the management of chronic diseases. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma, are responsible for a significant amount of deaths worldwide. They also place a heavy burden on healthcare systems as they are often associated with multiple comorbidities and require long-term management. Effective management of chronic diseases is essential for improving patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and decreasing the burden on healthcare systems.
A specific opportunity in this area is the use of telemedicine for the management of chronic diseases. Telemedicine allows patients to receive medical care remotely, which can be especially beneficial for those with chronic diseases who may have difficulty traveling to see a healthcare provider in person (Hoffer-Hawlik et al., 2020). This could promote access to care for people living in rural or remote areas, reduce the need for hospitalization, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Another opportunity is the use of m-health, Mobile Health, which allows patients to monitor their symptoms, track their medication adherence, and communicate with their healthcare providers sing mobile devices. This can empower patients to take an active role in their health management, improve communication with their healthcare provider, and lead to better outcomes.
A PICOT question for a clinical problem of chronic diseases could be developed as follows:
- Population: Adults with chronic diseases;
- Intervention: Telemedicine-based management;
- Comparison: Traditional in-person management;
- Outcome: Improved health outcomes (e.g. reduction in hospitalization, improved disease management);
- Time: 12 months;
PICOT question:
In adults with chronic diseases, is telemedicine-based management more effective and efficient than traditional in-person management in terms of improving health outcomes over 12 months?
Reference
Hoffer-Hawlik, M. A., Moran, A. E., Burka, D., Kaur, P., Cai, J., Frieden, T. R., & Gupta, R. (2020). Leveraging telemedicine for chronic disease management in low- and middle-income countries during COVID-19. Global Heart, 15(1). Web.