Six-Month Home-Based Telemedicine Program for Heart Failure and Type 2 Diabetes Patients - Applicability, Usability of Telemonitoring Devices and Apps, and Patient Satisfaction

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah

Telemedicine can strengthen early symptom detection by combining medical devices and applications while supporting communication with healthcare professionals and addressing factors that reduce adherence. This randomized study evaluated the applicability, usability, and satisfaction of telemonitoring devices and apps for people with heart failure and type 2 diabetes. Participants received six months of nursing teleassistance with wearable electrocardiography, step tracking, and an app. Most patients used the app daily, and nurses conducted numerous video calls; usability ratings indicated broad acceptance, especially with nursing support.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Background and rationale

Mobile health and home telemonitoring

Teleassistance and telemonitoring in integrated care

Methods

Study design and intervention

Usability and satisfaction measures

Results

App usage, video calls, and recorded metrics

ECG use and usability outcomes

Discussion

Patient acceptance and role of nursing support

Conclusions

Article Six-Month Home-Based Telemedicine Program for Heart Failure and Type 2 Diabetes Patients: Applicability, Usability of Telemonitoring Devices and Apps, and Patient Satisfaction Palmira Bernocchi 1, *, Gloria Fiorini Aloisi 1, Marilisa Serlini 1, Elisa Pasotti 1, Laura Comini 2 and Simonetta Scalvini 1 Academic Editor: Ryuji Furihata Received: 28 October 2025 Revised: 4 December 2025 Accepted: 23 December 2025 Published: 30 December 2025 Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. 1 Continuity of Care Service, Institute of Lumezzane, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 25065 Lumezzane, Italy; [isa.serlini@icsmaugeri.it](isa.serlini@icsmaugeri.it) (M.S.); [elisa.pasotti@icsmaugeri.it](elisa.pasotti@icsmaugeri.it) (E.P.); [simonetta.scalvini@icsmaugeri.it](simonetta.scalvini@icsmaugeri.it) (S.S.) 2 Scientific Direction of the Institute of Lumezzane, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 25065 Lumezzane, Italy; [laura.comini@icsmaugeri.it](laura.comini@icsmaugeri.it) * [Correspondence: palmira.bernocchi@icsmaugeri.it](Correspondence: palmira.bernocchi@icsmaugeri.it); Tel.: +39-0039-030-8253260 Abstract Background: Telemedicine can improve early symptom detection using medical devices and applications. It can also help identify barriers to patient adherence and enhance communication with healthcare professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability, usability, and patient satisfaction with telemonitoring devices and apps for individuals with heart failure and type 2 diabetes. Methods: In a randomized study, patients in the Intervention Group received six months of nursing teleassistance and telemonitoring using a wearable electrocardiograph, a step tracker, and an App for recording clinical information and conducting video calls. Usability was measured using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and satisfaction with a six-item questionnaire. Results: A total of 43 patients (71 ± 8 years) were enrolled in the intervention group. A total of 41 (95%) of patients utilized the App daily, entering 13,048 information, 53 ± 59 per patient. The nurses performed 896 videocalls, 22 ± 21 per patient. The mean number of walking sessions recorded was 6.1 ± 0.9 per week (159 ± 24 per patient). Thirty-five patients (81%) used a 3-lead ECG and recorded 942 traces, 27 ± 14 per patient. At the end, 40 SUS were collected from patients: 15 (38%, 71 ± 7 years) considered the system excellent or good, 20 (50%, 71 ± 8 years) thought it fair, and 5 (13%, 74 ± 7 years) considered the system offered poor. The overall assessment of patient satisfaction with the service was 22 ± 3.3. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that, although technology can be complex for older adults, it is broadly accepted by most patients, especially when the benefits are understood. The support offered by nurses is essential for significantly enhancing the overall patient experience. Keywords: teleassistance; telemonitoring; mobile phone apps; mHealth; digital health; chronic disease; system usability scale 1. Introduction Heart failure and type 2 diabetes are critical public health challenges affecting millions of individuals across Europe, contributing to increasing morbidity and healthcare costs [1,2]. Chronic patients grappling with these cardiovascular and metabolic disorders must adopt specific daily self-management behaviors to stabilize their health and enhance their quality of life effectively. Key practices include consistently monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure and blood glucose levels, participating in regular physical activities tailored to their capabilities, and adhering to a nutritious, well-balanced diet that supports overall health [3–5]. Optimized therapy—encompassing appropriate medication management, dietary adjustments, and

FAQs

What was the main aim of the six-month telemedicine program?

To evaluate the applicability, usability, and patient satisfaction with telemonitoring devices and apps for individuals with heart failure and type 2 diabetes.

How did the intervention group use the telemonitoring tools?

They received six months of nursing teleassistance and telemonitoring using a wearable electrocardiograph, a step tracker, and an app for recording clinical information and conducting video calls.

What did the usability results suggest about patient acceptance?

Although technology may be complex for older adults, most patients broadly accepted the system, with usability measured by the System Usability Scale showing that many ratings were excellent/good or fair.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah