Feasibility of telepsychology support for patients with advanced cardiorespiratory diseases and their caregivers.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of telepsychology support for patients with severe cardiorespiratory disease and their caregivers. A secondary objective was to explore pre-post relationships between patients' and caregivers' clinical measures.

METHODS

A telehealth program incorporating telepsychology support, i.e., an "on-demand" phone service with a psychologist, was provided to consecutive cardiorespiratory patients at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and to their caregivers. At the start and end of the 1-year program, participants were interviewed "face-to-face," and their anxiety/depression level, patients' quality of life (MRF-28, SF-36, and MQOL), and caregivers' ( = 18) family strain (FSQ) and needs (CNA) were assessed: we analyzed the correlations and evaluated customer satisfaction.

RESULTS

Of 80 eligible individuals, 40 took part in this study: 22 patients (FVC = 39 ± 14%; EF = 39 ± 13%) and 18 caregivers. Eleven (28%, 6 patients and 5 caregivers) requested tele-psychological support, resulting in 51 consultations focused on anxiety, difficulty in patient management, worry about the patient's emotional state, and need for emotional support; 3 participants underwent a tailored psychotherapy program. All participants expressed high satisfaction with the service. At enrolment, anxiety was less evident in patients (73% men) than in caregivers, while depressive symptoms were more evident (6.5 ± 3.1), and correlated with MRF-28 and MQOL. Caregivers' (94% women) FSQ showed a "strongly recommended" need for support; at enrolment, high levels of anxiety/depression were correlated with high FSQ (for both, < 0.05); depressive symptoms correlated negatively with age ( = 0.025) and positively with emotional needs ( = 0.025); anxiety was positively correlated with education level ( = 0.048). At follow-up, patients' perception of support ( = 13/22) tended to increase ( = 0.089), while caregivers' strain ( = 10/18) tended to decline (to within the "range of attention"). At enrolment, caregivers' anxiety/depression and strain correlated with patients' quality of life (for both; < 0.05). At follow-up, caregivers' strain correlated with patients' quality of life ( = 0.028) and cognitive performance ( = 0.048).

CONCLUSION

Telepsychology support associated with a telehealth service is feasible and satisfying for both participants and psychological management. A suitable support program can benefit both patients and caregivers, particularly those at higher risk of depressive symptoms (younger caregivers) and anxiety (all caregivers).