244 - Telecommunication capability in patients taking oral anticoagulant therapy
Autor(s): R. Facchinetti, M. Nicoli, P. Rizzotti
Issue: RIMeL - IJLaM, Vol. 2, N. 3, 2006 (MAF Servizi srl ed.)
Background. To satisfy the increasing number of Patients
taking oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) our Anticoagulation
Clinic is introducing telecommunication of
clinical data. To optimize our limited resources we
performed a preventive investigation regarding Patient’s
capability in telecommunication.
Methods. Using a questionnaire we interviewed 170 random
Patients about their direct (UD) and indirect (UI)
capability in the use of the following telecommunication
devices: short cell phone messages (SMS), fax, and
electronic mail (e-mail).
Results. The most widespread device is cell phone
(62.4%). Personal computers are owned by 17.1%, fax
by 13.5%. UD is 37.1% for SMS, 12.9% for fax, and
10% for e-mail. UD is positively correlated to level of
education and negatively to age. UI is 21.8% for SMS,
22.9% for fax, and 30.6% for e-mail. Combined total
ability (UD+UI) is 58.9% for SMS, 40.6% for e-mail ,
and 35.8% for fax. The percentage of Patients unresponsive
regarding UI is 25.9 for SMS, 23.5 for fax,
and 18.8 for e-mail. 55.5% of Patients declared incapability
in all devices. This percentage is correlated positively
to age and negatively to level of education.
Conclusions. Potentially SMS is the most available device,
but with low tracing possibility. 35% and 40.6% of
Patients could use respectively fax and e-mail, with satisfying
tracing possibility. The ideal telecommunication
system should consider Patients’ real capability or
possibility, and should automatically adapt itself to the
preferred device. Direct physical contact with Medical
Doctor must always be available when requested