Smart Post-Discharge Elderly Health Management Platform improves health-related quality of life (p = 0.026) versus standard telephone follow-up in 383 elderly patients

A cluster randomised controlled trial evaluated the Smart Post-Discharge Elderly Health Management Platform against standard telephone follow-up in a post-discharge care setting. The study population consisted of 383 elderly patients. The intervention group received the platform, while the comparator group received standard telephone follow-up. The follow-up period lasted 6 months.

The primary outcome measured was health-related quality of life. The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in this domain compared to the comparator group, with a p-value of 0.026. Secondary outcomes included self-management, usability, and economic outcomes. Self-management total scores increased significantly in the intervention group (p < 0.001). Significant improvements were also observed in physical and mental health domains (p = 0.002-0.021).

Platform usability was rated highly, with 96.35% of users reporting positive experiences. Regarding economic outcomes, healthcare costs were reduced, and 70.83% of users reported lower expenses. Safety and tolerability data were not reported. Adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, and tolerability were not reported. No limitations were explicitly listed in the provided data. Funding or conflicts of interest were not reported.

The practice relevance involves providing a practical framework for integrating technology into nursing practice for aging populations. Clinicians should consider this platform as a potential tool for post-discharge care, noting the absence of reported safety data.