Telehealth in Motor Neuron Disease (TiM: Phase 2)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A multicentre, mixed-methodology, observational study investigating the positives and negatives of the Telehealth in Motor Neuron Disease service (TiM: Phase 2)
IRAS ID
293268
Contact name
Esther/EH Hobson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sheffield
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 9 days
Research summary
Currently, people with motor neuron disease (PwMND) and their carers find it difficult to get to clinical appointments because the specialist nature of this healthcare provision means that they may live far away from hospitals with MND care centres. Also, these appointments are usually once every 2 or 3 months and little information is available to healthcare workers during the months in between. To overcome these issues, we have developed a technology system to allow more communication between PwMND, their carers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs). This system is called ‘Telehealth in Motor Neuron Disease’, or ‘TiM’ for short and has already started to be delivered as a standard service in the Sheffield MND care centre. We have already conducted some research on this system, finding positive results and highlighting other areas that need to be developed further.
The current study is the second in a programme of research which aims to build upon our earlier work and further test and develop the TiM platform. We will analyse data that has already been collected during the running of the service, such as the number of people who create a TiM account and the number of clinical questionnaires they complete. We will also invite PwMND, carers, and HCPs to complete research questionnaires and participate in interviews, which aim to understand if people are satisfied with the service they are receiving and whether they have seen an improvement in the level of their care.
Through analysing the data collected as part of the service, research questionnaires, and interviews, we will be able to evaluate whether the use of TiM is linked with better care for PwMND and their carers. This information can also be used to help us develop the service further.REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
21/WA/0067
Date of REC Opinion
8 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion