Effects of telemonitoring in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Four hospitals took part in a nonrandomized controlled multicenter COPD study to determine the effect of homebased telemonitoring using the Health Buddy (HB) and health-related quality-of-life as measured by the Clinical COPD Questionnaire. Comparison of a control group with the HB group indicated that the HB group had a significant decrease in hospital admission rates. This approach provides daily symptom surveillance and enhances disease knowledge and self-management, thus improving healthcare for patients with COPD.