Lead Investigators:
Apurv Soni, MD, PhD; Laurel O'Connor, MD; John Broach, MD
The Status Quo:
Advances in diagnostics and therapeutics have revolutionized the care of many chronic diseases. However, the implementation and accessibility of these developments often falter as they encounter the complexity of the US healthcare system. Delivering the right care, at the right time, could make a significant difference in the lives of patients with chronic conditions.
What We Study:
The Healthy at Home pilot study evaluates novel methods of delivering care to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, COPD is characterized by chronic symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and excess mucus production. Early recognition and treatment of worsening COPD symptoms, along with access to evidence-based interventions such as pulmonary rehabilitation, are critical to improving clinical outcomes and quality of life.
How We Innovate:
The study evaluates the feasibility of providing the following services for up to 100 COPD patients who receive healthcare through the UMass Memorial Medicare Accountable Care Organization (UMMACO):
