Living alone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Teresa sometimes found it difficult to access the right support when her symptoms worsened.
On one occasion, when she could not see her GP, Teresa contacted the Virtual Emergency Department and was advised to call an ambulance. She was subsequently admitted to hospital for her COPD.
During this admission, Teresa was invited to participate in Northern Health’s Assisted Self-Management COPD pathway, which is part of a pilot program in partnership with Safer Care Victoria.
The Assisted Self-Management pilot program supports people to manage their condition at home through digital monitoring, education and ongoing support from their care team. For Teresa, having this support available has made a significant difference. When her symptoms flare up, she now knows exactly where to go and who to talk to, all from the comfort of her own home.
“It gave me confidence. I think it has improved my COPD because I have that backup.”
Knowing that her care team reviews her responses and contacts her when needed has also helped Teresa feel supported while managing her condition at home.
“I was so impressed that there was a backup so you don’t feel alone and so you don’t need to leave your lounge room or house.”
For Teresa, the support is there when she needs it without taking over.
“They always ring you. And they trust you that you know your symptoms. They talk you through it… It’s like help but in the background, they don’t get in your face.”
Teresa says she would recommend the Assisted Self-Management COPD pathway without hesitation. For her, the model provides responsive support in the background, without requiring travel or appointments. She believes the approach could be particularly valuable for people who live alone or whose family or partner may not fully understand what it is like to live with COPD.
Five Victorian health services are delivering the Assisted Self-Management pilot. It is testing a clinically supported, digitally enabled approach for people living with COPD, type 2 diabetes and heart failure.
Find out more about our Assisted Self-Management program, which uses digital technology to support people to build the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their health, with more connected, personalised care closer to home.
