How Remote Patient Monitoring Can Help Providers Care for Patients
Over the last two years, the healthcare industry has experienced tremendous growth and innovation. This growth was most evident with the increased use of telemedicine and remote patient monitoring. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a “healthcare delivery method that uses technology to monitor patient health outside of a traditional clinical setting. RPM refers to the specific technology used to electronically transmit information between patients and physicians, and it is just one delivery system within the broader telemedicine industry.”1
Remote patient monitoring allows providers more flexibility to monitor their patients using a variety of telehealth tools. It extends the reach of physicians and allows a continual relationship between patients and caregivers. It also offers providers real-time health data. RPM can also help keep patients out of the emergency department and avoid large medical bills.
Devices
Remote patient monitoring relies on devices that are often worn by patients to collect data or that have apps patients can input data into. This allows doctors to monitor readings to provide better treatment for their patients. There are a variety of devices that can be used for RPM. Some of these are wearables like blood glucose meters and blood pressure monitors. RPM devices constantly measure levels, send readings directly to a provider, and can even remind patients when medication is needed.
These devices can also help track more serious health conditions that require a more complicated device. Some training for the patient may be needed and can be done at the provider’s office or via a telehealth visit. For example, apnea monitors, breathing apparatuses, fetal monitors, and specialized monitors for patients with dementia or Parkinson’s disease.
Benefits
One major benefit of using remote patient monitoring is the amount of data that can be collected in a more relaxed and natural setting. It is easier to get more accurate readings when a patient is at home and not at a doctor’s office. Some devices can also be worn constantly, so providers can pull data from any point day or night. RPM also provides a great base for historical data. Having a patient onboard with the RPM treatment plan also greatly improves compliance rates with their treatment. Patients often take things more seriously when they know their doctor is ‘watching’.
Finally, remote patient monitoring can provide better care management of chronic condition like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and weight management. Telemedicine alone can’t provide an adequate level of care for many of these chronic health conditions that need to be tracked carefully and frequently. By engaging with RPM, wearable devices can provide doctors a myriad of data points in real time. This can make all the difference in chronic care management.
Misconceptions
One of the biggest misconceptions about remote patient monitoring is that it is too expensive for providers to set up and for patients to use. But this is simply just not true, especially given all of the innovation and new devices that have come forward during the COVID pandemic. Insurances are also understanding the importance of covering at least some of the cost for these devices and apps.
Another misconception is that most providers will find the technology too hard to deploy. However, most new systems work right out of the box without a big learning curve for providers, their staff, or patients. Most patients do well with a walk through at an in-office visit to go over the device, any apps associated with it, and what information is being sent to the provider.
Finally, another common misperception is that RPM will only work with high-speed internet access – something not everyone has access to. Connectivity is something to consider when prescribing RPM to patients, especially those that live in rural areas. While RPM does not require a huge amount of data, internet access is needed. Often, patients can use ordinary wi-fi which they can get by connecting their device to their smartphone.
Conclusion
The field of remote patient monitoring has greatly expanded in the last several years. From round the clock monitoring to a reduction in hospitalizations, patients with chronic diseases have the most to gain from these advances. While the future of RPM may include the expansion and miniaturization of wearables, there is still work to be done. Access to devices, insurance coverage, and high-speed internet service are obstacles that must be overcome.
For More Information
1https://www.insiderintelligence.com/insights/remote-patient-monitoring-industry-explained/
