Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

The role of remote patient monitoring in mobile health

David Lee Scher, MD
Tech
April 21, 2013
165 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

As defined in Wikipedia, remote patient monitoring (RPM) is: “a technology to enable monitoring of patients outside of conventional clinical settings (e.g. in the home), which may increase access to care and decrease healthcare delivery costs.”

I was a pioneer adopter of RPM as a beta site for Medtronic’s Carelink wireless system which monitors implantable cardiac rhythm devices (defibrillators and pacemakers). RPM has gained significant attention because of recently mandated penalties for hospital readmissions for certain diagnoses (myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, stroke, and chronic obstructive lung disease).  RPM is seen as a way of remaining in physiologic contact with these patients who might be managed at home via care systems. There are conflicting study results regarding the utility of remote monitoring preventing hospital readmissions. Some studies show no decrease in hospitalizations, and others with significant benefit.

1. All remote monitoring is the same. There is no standard definition for RPM.  Some studies utilizing only telephone interviews have been called RPM. Other RPM technologies use body sensors which deliver data from the person’s body in an automated fashion into a server and/or a smartphone via an app, and/or an EHR.

2. All remote monitoring is reimbursed.  RPM of implantable cardiac rhythm devices has been directly reimbursed for many years in the USA.  In fact, when it was first approved for reimbursement by CMS, it was approved at a higher level than in-office follow-up.  Many years following USA approval of reimbursement, European countries are still variable with regards to reimbursement models. Besides RPM of implantable cardiac rhythm devices, – Not directly reimbursed but is an approved adjunct under the Home Health Resource Groups of the Prospective Payment System (HHRG PPS).

3. Patients and physicians will welcome and embrace remote monitoring. My first foray into remote patient monitoring introduced me into the psychological aspects of the technology as much as the bells, whistles, and clicks entailed in performing it. The first pushback from patients is that the technology is replacing the physician, and eliminating the patient-physician relationship. If the technology conveys true benefit to patient care (implantable cardiac device monitoring leads to early discovery of arrhythmias and even led to detection of an eventually recalled defibrillator system wire).  What patients should know is that with any type of well-designed and thought out RPM system they will be more connected both literally and figuratively with their provider.  Interestingly according to the 2012 Study of mHealth by Ruder Finn, 33% patients would like their physician to use a mobile platform for RPM to alert them of serious medical problems.  The first reaction from physicians is that they will be deluged with useless generated data, and that the data will remain in cyberspace without them knowing about it. The first reaction is addressed with good design, with actionable (and customizable) alerts and a workflow system employing non-physician providers.  The second concern is addressed below.

4. Remote monitoring should be totally automated. The most effective RPM systems have some sort of human interaction involved in closing the monitoring loop. This is advisable for a number of reasons. There needs to be individualization of programmed parameters and alerts. This will allow for actionable alerts that are both meaningful from the provider’s standpoint and beneficial to the patient. Data cannot e managed in a vacuum. There will be false positive and negative readings which must be correlated to the clinical condition of the patient in order to result in optimal management.  Caregivers should be involved in the loop as well.

5. Remote monitoring is only for recently discharged patients. It is no secret that RPM has both garnered and generated extraordinary attention because of Medicare penalties for hospital readmissions.  Regulatory requirements have driven much of digital technology adoption in the past decade. This includes EHRs, tools to determine and improve patient satisfaction, and patient portals. This is sad insomuch as one would hope that providers would invest in improved patient outcomes independent of mandates, following the tech adoption leads of the retail and finance sectors, focused on customer satisfaction and transaction outcomes. That being said, one would hope that the theoretical improvements brought to patients vis a vis decreased rehospitalizations (though 30 days is hardly a measure of long-term success) could extend to all relevant patients (those not hospitalized with chronic illness as well as those beyond the 30 day discharge period).

I have witnessed firsthand the dawn and benefits of RPM over time.  I look forward to the partnerships of RPM, mobile health, health IT, and non-tech patient-centric care.

David Lee Scher is a former cardiologist and a consultant at DLS Healthcare Consulting, LLC.  He blogs at his self-titled site, David Lee Scher, MD.

Prev

How natural language processing can help EHRs

April 21, 2013 Kevin 0
…
Next

As an oncologist, I hate running late

April 22, 2013 Kevin 13
…

Tagged as: Mobile health

Post navigation

< Previous Post
How natural language processing can help EHRs
Next Post >
As an oncologist, I hate running late

More by David Lee Scher, MD

  • Want a successful digital health initiative? These 5 things need to happen first.

    David Lee Scher, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    How mobile technology can improve clinical trials

    David Lee Scher, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Pharma needs physician digital key opinion leaders. Here’s why.

    David Lee Scher, MD

More in Tech

  • AI is living up to its promise as a tool for radiology

    Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
  • I’m tired of being a distracted doctor

    Shiv Rao, MD
  • AI-driven diagnostics and beyond

    Michael Kirsch, MD
  • The need for adaptability is imperative in the era of artificial intelligence

    Harvey Castro, MD, MBA
  • Harnessing the power of gamification in mental health apps

    Carter Do and Thomas Pak, MD, PhD
  • Leveraging ChatGPT’s high IQ to assist doctors

    Harvey Castro, MD, MBA
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Ethical considerations in medicine: unity and open discourse

      Andrew Zywiec, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling excessive medical billing and greed

      Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH | Policy
    • I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

      Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD | Physician
    • For newer doctors, avoid lifestyle inflation

      Amarish Dave, DO | Finance
    • 1 in 5 doctors will become disabled. Are you prepared?

      Amarish Dave, DO | Finance
    • Chronic health issues and homelessness

      Michele Luckenbaugh | Policy
  • Past 6 Months

    • Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

      Tami Burdick | Conditions
    • Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain

      L. Joseph Parker, MD | Conditions
    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Navigating the broken medical system: challenges faced by foreign medical graduates

      Anonymous | Physician
    • Mourning the silent epidemic: the physician suicide crisis and suggestions for change

      Amna Shabbir, MD | Physician
    • The essence of medicine: genuine connections in practice

      Jennifer Tillman, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • 1 in 5 doctors will become disabled. Are you prepared?

      Amarish Dave, DO | Finance
    • The pros and cons of whole life insurance for high-income earners

      Shane Tenny, CFP | Finance
    • Family support is pivotal in the treatment of schizophrenia

      Frank Chen, MD | Conditions
    • Is emergency medicine your calling? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Exploring disfigurement and self-worth

      Kathleen Watt | Conditions
    • AI is living up to its promise as a tool for radiology

      Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Tech

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 3 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • White House Opens Gun Violence Prevention Office
  • Nurses Step Up to Bat on Educating Patients About Climate Change
  • Diagnostic CV Procedures Rebounded After Dipping in 2020
  • The GLP-1 Agonist Plateau No One's Talking About
  • Over One-Third of Adults in 22 States Have Obesity, CDC Says

Meeting Coverage

  • Loneliness Needs to Be Treated Like Any Other Health Condition, Researcher Suggests
  • Stopping Medical Misinformation Requires Early Detection
  • AI Has an Image Problem in Healthcare, Expert Says
  • Want Better Health Outcomes? Check Out What Other Countries Do
  • ERS Roundup: Cell Transplant Boosts Lung Function in COPD Patients
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Ethical considerations in medicine: unity and open discourse

      Andrew Zywiec, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling excessive medical billing and greed

      Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH | Policy
    • I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

      Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD | Physician
    • For newer doctors, avoid lifestyle inflation

      Amarish Dave, DO | Finance
    • 1 in 5 doctors will become disabled. Are you prepared?

      Amarish Dave, DO | Finance
    • Chronic health issues and homelessness

      Michele Luckenbaugh | Policy
  • Past 6 Months

    • Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

      Tami Burdick | Conditions
    • Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain

      L. Joseph Parker, MD | Conditions
    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Navigating the broken medical system: challenges faced by foreign medical graduates

      Anonymous | Physician
    • Mourning the silent epidemic: the physician suicide crisis and suggestions for change

      Amna Shabbir, MD | Physician
    • The essence of medicine: genuine connections in practice

      Jennifer Tillman, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • 1 in 5 doctors will become disabled. Are you prepared?

      Amarish Dave, DO | Finance
    • The pros and cons of whole life insurance for high-income earners

      Shane Tenny, CFP | Finance
    • Family support is pivotal in the treatment of schizophrenia

      Frank Chen, MD | Conditions
    • Is emergency medicine your calling? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Exploring disfigurement and self-worth

      Kathleen Watt | Conditions
    • AI is living up to its promise as a tool for radiology

      Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian | Tech

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

The role of remote patient monitoring in mobile health
3 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...