[Evaluation of Satisfaction with Telemedicine Devices and with the Results of the Care Received Among Chronic Patients. The ValCrònic Program]

Objective: To evaluate patient satisfaction with the ValCrònic program, telemedicine devices, and the results of the care received after a 2-year follow-up.

Design: Observational, descriptive study based on telephone surveys.

Setting: The autonomous community of Valencia (Spain).

Participants: Participants consisted of 410 patients with one or more of the following diseases: hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A total of 585 patients were included, of whom 104 left the program (18 due to death) and 71 refused to participate.

Methods: We designed and validated a specific scale. Floor and ceiling effects were considered. Internal consistency was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha.

Results: Responses were obtained from 322 patients (response rate, 78.5%). Of these, 118 (36.6%) were women. In 48 patients (14.9%), the person responding was a caregiver. Cronbach's alpha was 0.7. For 278 patients (86.3%), the ValCrònic program helped them to understand their disease better, 270 (83.9%) reported that it helped them use their medication more safely, and 283 (87.9%) reported they had better knowledge of their disease. For 288 (89.4%), the devices were easy to manage at home. Only 12 patients (3.7%) found that the devices involved a heavy workload that was difficult to incorporate into their daily lives.

Conclusions: The ValCrònic program promotes self-care among patients.