Trial of an Internet-based Platform for Managing Chronic Diseases at a Distance

In 2005, more then one-third of Canadians were burdened with one or more chronic diseases. Patients with one chronic disease often have, or are at risk for, another chronic disease. This group of complex patients represents a substantial challenge to healthcare resources. For patients in rural communities, the opportunity to attend ambulatory care clinics is not always an option. Additionally, the opportunity for rural patients to receive quality care close to, or within their homes, is of great benefit as it reduces the need for extensive travel and the potential burden of clinical visits. The use of telehealth has been identified as an effective modality for chronic disease management and is actively promoted by national organizations as having great promise for health service delivery in rural areas. The Internet as a mode for healthcare delivery has numerous advantages: 1. it is ubiquitous with increasing access in all age groups, 2. it is inexpensive, 3. it facilitates both patient data transfer and patient feedback, thereby supporting patient self-management, 4. it is scalable to large patient volumes, 5. it delivers health care directly to the patient and 6. it requires minimal set-up for patients with current Internet access. The investigators propose to develop and evaluate a multi-chronic disease management program delivered through the Internet (with telephone supports) focused on high-impact chronic diseases targeted to patients in rural communities. This study will consist of a single-blinded randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of the iCDM in 318 patients with two or more of the target chronic diseases living in rural areas. Within this Aim, the investigators will be able to address the following research questions: Q1. What is the effect of iCDM on healthcare utilization and patient self-management outcomes? Q2. What is the long-term compliance to the iCDM? Q3. What is the level of patient and provider satisfaction?