Maoyi Tian, PhD MSc
Nominated From: University of Michigan
Research Site: China
Research Area: Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Bioinformatics
Primary Mentor: Yangfeng Wu
Research Project
Feasibility and Acceptability of Mobile Communication Technology for Chronic Disease Management among Rural Chinese Patients with Chronic Disease
This study aims to identify the potential feasibility and acceptability of mobile communication technology for chronic disease management among rural Chinese patients with chronic disease. The specific aims of the project are: 1) understand the opportunities and constraints experienced by the patients with chronic conditions in accessing high quality health care; 2) determine patients’ access to mobile communication technology, particularly among patients who are vulnerable to poor outcomes due to limited access to in-person care, low health literacy, and more severe illness; 3) identify patients’ interest in mobile phone based chronic disease self-management.
Research Significance
Chronic diseases are the leading cause of mortality in the world, representing more than 60% of all deaths. Ninety percent of these deaths occurred in China and other low and middle income countries. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) alone is responsible for over one third of all deaths in China, and this number is anticipated to double in the next 10 years. CVD is variably distributed within China with a higher prevalence observed in rural areas. Similar to Type 2 diabetes mellitus, the prevalence of CVD in China has increased dramatically from 1% in the 1980s to over 10% in 2013. Despite China having established national guidelines for chronic disease management, these guidelines are implemented incompletely, particularly in rural areas with limited resources.
One promising strategy for improving chronic disease management is to increase self-management support to patients using telehealth technology. Particularly, due to the rapid expansion and decreasing price of mobile health tools, mobile technology could offer an unprecedented opportunity to bring health assessment and management to the patients and their family members. In 2012, there were over 1 billion mobile phone subscriptions in China. However, there is no published data on the mobile phone penetration in rural areas, where there is a higher burden and prevalence of chronic disease.
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