Abstract

Introduction
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) places a significant burden on patients and healthcare services with increased prevalence in areas of socioeconomic deprivation (1). The NHS Long Term Plan highlights patient choice and health independence (2). Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group explored the activation and usage of myCOPD, an NHS approved app that supports patients and health care providers to work together and better manage COPD.

Aim
To explore patient uptake, engagement and usage of myCOPD using the Dorset Intelligence and Insight Service (DiiS).

Methods
Over 15 months healthcare teams offered patients myCOPD and tracked app activity using DiiS. Anonymised app data was analysed incorporating deprivation status of patients using The English Indices of Deprivation 2019 (IoD2019). COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores were reviewed for all patients reporting at least 2 consecutive CAT scores.

Results

1,292 patients (85%) registered and 814 (63%) patients activated the app. 651 (80%) of activated patients reported they were technologically confident.

The most socioeconomically deprived areas had an average uptake of 7.3%, whereas the least socioeconomically deprived areas had an average uptake of 5.8%.

An improvement in CAT score was seen in 96 (12%) patients with 39 (40.6%) of those patients demonstrating clinically important reduction in CAT (>5 points).

Discussion
Patient uptake and usage of myCOPD was positive, and DiiS enabled clinical teams to monitor health outcomes remotely. Socioeconomic factors did not appear to negatively influence app activation. App activity and changes in CAT score were visible to clinicians through DiiS, contributing to a positive population health management approach.

References
1. https://www.blf.org.uk/policy/economic-burden
2. NHS. The NHS long term plan. 2019. https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/