Objective
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic disease that requires intensive daily self-management. Adherence can be challenging for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with CF. This manuscript reports on the characteristics, participation, and satisfaction outcomes of „tele-coaches“ who virtually delivered an intervention to promote adherence in this population.
Methods
Health care professionals from six CF centers were recruited, trained, and supervised to serve as tele-coaches for AYA with CF (ages 14-25). Demographic and participation data were collected. Tele-coaches completed a post-training knowledge assessment to establish preparedness for intervention delivery. Fidelity to intervention delivery was collected. Tele-coaches completed a satisfaction survey regarding their experiences delivering the skills-based intervention.
Results
Fifteen health care professionals were recruited. They felt adequately trained to serve as tele-coaches. All tele-coaches passed the knowledge assessment (M = 91.8%, SD = 7.78), demonstrated acceptable fidelity to the intervention (M = 83.1% SD = 8.46), rated training and supervision as helpful, and were satisfied with the intervention and participant engagement.
Conclusion
Tele-coaches provided valuable feedback that can be incorporated into future training, supervision, and intervention delivery to promote self-management in AYA with CF.
Innovation
Multidisciplinary health care professionals can be adequately trained to implement a flexible, tailored, and supportive adherence intervention in AYA with CF.
Clinical trial registration
•Name: Tele-Coaching Intervention to Improve Treatment Adherence in Cystic Fibrosis•URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03921229•ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03921229.