Impressions and Perceptions of a Smartphone and Smartwatch Self-Management Tool for Patients With COPD: A Qualitative Study

Figures & data

Table 1. Patient demographics.

		N = 26
Age, median (IQR)		67 (62.5–74)
Women, n (%)		13 (50%)
Charlson Comorbidity Index – median (IQR)		4 (3–5)
Most common comorbidities, n (%)	Connective tissue disease	3 (12%)
	Congestive heart failure	2 (8%)
	Peripheral vascular disease	2 (8%)
Ethnicity, n (%)	Asian	1 (4%)
	Black	1 (4%)
	White	23 (88%)
	Indigenous	1 (4%)
Highest Education obtained (partial or complete), n (%)	High school	4 (15%)
	College or University	15 (58%)
	Postgraduate	7 (27%)
COPD related characteristics
Duration of COPD, years (SD)		9.1 (5.9)
Current or prior smoker, n (%)		23 (88%)
Long term home oxygen therapy, n (%)		8 (31%)
Have a COPD action plan, n (%)		12 (46%)
FEV1, n (%)	≥80% (mild)	3 (12%)
	50–79% (moderate)	5 (19%)
	30–49% (severe)	4 (15%)
	<30% (very severe)	1 (4%)
	Unknown	13 (50%)
GOLD combined assessment grade*	A	2 (8%)
	B	12 (46%)
	C	6 (23%)
	D	6 (23%)
Exacerbations in last 12 months	0	10 (39%)
	1–2	8 (31%)
	3–5	5 (19%)
	5–10	1 (4%)
	>10	2 (8%)
Health status by self report	Poor or very poor	5 (19%)
	Fair	12 (46%)
	Good or very good	9 (35%)
MRC dyspnea scale	Grade 1–2 (mild)	9 (35%)
	Grade 3–5 (moderate to severe)	17 (66%)
Digital literacy
Smartphone use – current or ever, n (%)		18 (69%)
Smartwatch/wearable use current or ever, n (%)		11 (42%)
WiFi at home, n (%)		24 (92%)
Uses a computer at home (desktop, tablet, laptop), n (%)		25 (96%)
Technical efficacy (self-reported), n (%)	High	9 (36%)
	Medium	14 (56%)
	Low	2 (8%)

SD: Standard Deviation; IQR: Interquartile range.

MRC: Medical Research Council.

* Evaluates exacerbation risk using exacerbation history and mMRC score.

Table 2. Application features by usefulness.

Feature	Usefulness*
Viewing data (Heart rate, SpO2)	20/26 (77%)
Entering daily symptoms	18/24 (75%)
Pursed lip breathing exercises	19/26 (73%)
Wearing the watch	12/18 (66.7%)
Pre-exercise checks	15/23 (65.2%)
Coughing reports	7/16 (43.8%)
Weather reports	4/17 (23.5%)
Reminders to take controller medication	4/21 (19%)
Action plan	2/20 (10%)

* Number of patients who described feature as useful of those who explicitly discussed the feature in their interview.

Data availability statement

The data used in this study is available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.