INTRODUCTION Psychological distress and reduced quality of life are prevalent in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). In addition, persons with CHF or CKD live with increased risk of primary or secondary complications associated with COVID-19, including mortality. International task force committees report that medical therapy combined with counselling for CHF and CKD self-care optimizes clinical outcomes. Digital health initiatives present an effective solution in light of the recent issue of declining patient attendance in essential outpatient appointments due to the increased risk of COVID-19 exposure. HYPOTHESES At study completion (up to 16 months), it is hypothesized that there will be a significant increase from baseline in the proportion of participants with clinically improved or sustained positive mental health. Additionally, greater engagement with the ODYSSEE-vCHAT program is expected to be linked with improved self-reported health- and wellbeing-related outcomes at months 4 and 8 and study completion (up to 16 months). RECRUITMENT Patients with CHF or CKD who are at least 18 years old were recruited from the University Health Network (UHN), Sunnybrook Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, The Ottawa Hospital, and the community. Accrual of the sample (N = 215) occurred over a 14-month period. DESIGN This is a single group, open label, pre-post study with assessments at baseline, months 4 and 8, and study completion (up to 16 months). ODYSSEE-vCHAT contacted subjects each week inviting them to participate or partake in digital counselling resources, chatrooms, and presentations with group discussions. Participation in supplemental mental health programs was monitored by self-report. ANALYSES A binomial logistic regression will evaluate if there is a greater proportion of participants with positive mental health at study completion. This analysis will assess if the proportion of participants with positive mental health at study completion (up to 16 months) is independently associated with ODYSSEE-vCHAT engagement (login minutes). General linear models will test secondary outcomes, adjusting for baseline assessments and potential covariates. Significance in all tests will be p \< 0.05, 2-sided. Any unplanned analyses will be adjusted for using the Bonferroni procedure.
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Self-reported overall mental health
Timeframe: Baseline and study completion (up to 16 months)