A Randomized-Controlled Trial Study of Telecare-Based Interprofessional Collaboration: A New Strategy in Tuberculosis Treatment

To provide optimal treatment for tuberculosis (TB), an interprofessional team is required, but most hospitals cannot provide such standards. A potential alternative method for better medication adherence is telecare. This study aims to develop a telecare service based on interprofessional collaboration to elevate medication adherence and enhance therapy outcomes for individuals with tuberculosis. The research was a single-blind randomized control trial. Data collection was carried out at three points: baseline, one month, and three months post-intervention. The primary outcome measured was the bacterial conversion, while secondary outcomes included medication adherence and the quality of TB patients’ lives. Using an individually randomized sample, 100 patients (50 patients per group) were selected. The instruments used included the medication adherence rating scale-5, knowledge questionnaire, and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire. Data were analyzed with Mann-Whitney test. A significant difference was observed in the knowledge scores between the control and experimental groups, indicated by a p-value of 0.007 (p < 0.05). The experimental group showed a higher median score (76.92) compared to the control group (61.54). Significant differences were also observed in the medication (p = 0.008, p < 0.05). In the experimental group, 50 patients demonstrated higher medication adherence (median score 25.00). Regarding patients’ quality of life, a significant difference was observed between the two groups. The control experimental group had better quality of life. Overall, the study concluded that telecare-based interprofessional collaboration had a positive impact on improving knowledge, medication adherence, quality of life in TB patients and bacterial conversion.