Development of Common Data Elements to Provide Tele self-Care Management

Background: Self-care management could empower patients to management of their health. Tele-health is the remote exchange of data between a patient and medical staff to improve healthcare quality. The aim of this research was developing common data elements to provide Tele self-care management and improve quality of care. Materials and methods: this was a cross-sectional study based on Delphi approach was done in 2011. Data was extracted by three sessions’ of conversation with 20 faculty members. Data had more than 75% agreement was inserted in minimum data element list, data with lower than 50% agreement was considered as failed data and whom was agreed between 50%-75% of participants were reconsidered for conversation until three sessions and after re-voting it was failed or accepted. Results: Results showed that self-care divides in three main categories and also some sub-categories including:1-Immunity and Safety with two subcategories (A: Prevention of Disease and B: Awareness and Knowledge about Disease); 2-Health Security and Maintains in six subcategories (A: Labratoary Test Results; B: Vital Data Monitoring; C: Rehabilitation; D: Drug Information; E: Follow up and F: Dental Health), 3- Well-Being Education in four subcategories (A: Nutrition; B: Health Promotion; C: Life Style Improvement and D: Patient Activity). Discussion: Consideration of all aspects of self management including information about prevention of disease, knowledge about disease, laboratory test result, vital signs monitoring, rehabilitation, drug information, follow up, dental health, nutrition, health promotion, life style improvement and patient activities is necessary.