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Devices like smartwatches are continually updated with new Remote Monitoring technologies like heartbeat monitors

LEAD SECTION RPM

Remote Patient Monitoring involves the constant remote care of patients by their physicians, often to track physical symptoms, chronic conditions, or post-hospitalization rehab . While technologies are continually being developed to tackle this type of health care, physicians may even utilize basic communication methods such as Zoom, Snapchat, or even landline phones . Pilot programs for Remote Patient Monitoring began in the 1970's when Kaiser Permanente created monitoring systems for rural communities in order to provide better healthcare to isolated regions . Literature related to Remote Patient Monitoring suggests that interventions based on health behavior models, care pathways, and personalized coaching lead to the best outcomes .

Research on the use of Remote Patient Monitoring technologies has helped determine that further development of telehealth ecosystems, in which physicians can give recommendations and means of care while also receiving transmitted health information, can lead to better patient outcomes and higher patient satisfaction. Researchers also note that Remote Patient Monitoring will become more important as healthcare changes from a volume focus to a value focus .

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Remote Patient Monitoring has been used extensively and allowed for more fields such as psychology or cardiology to use virtual care. By 2025, the Remote Patient Monitoring industry is expected to double, due to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and increased at-home care . Use of Remote Patient Monitoring has been proven to ultimately provide better patient compliance and improved physician management, while decreasing costs of care .

Applications

COVID-19

Use of Remote Patient Monitoring reduces face-to-face interactions between physician and patient

Due to the nature of the pandemic, Remote Patient Monitoring is a necessary means of providing care to at-risk patients such as elderly or immunocompromised people. Studies show that the use of Remote Patient Monitoring during the pandemic has helped to reduce hospitalizations and decrease the use of acute care resources . The FDA has given emergency authorized use of Remote Patient Monitoring technologies for the purpose of decreasing the spread of COVID-19 and to prevent overload for healthcare resources and personnel .

Cancer

Use of Remote Patient Monitoring among patients with cancer has been proven to improve outcomes overall, with studies showing improvements in rehospitalization rates and decreased healthcare resource usage . These remote monitoring technologies have also helped lower severity of pain as well as a greater improvement of depression .

Limitations

Debate surrounds the potential cybersecurity issues of Remote Patient Monitoring, including the likelihood of hacks which could pull personal medical data. Additionally, most remote monitoring devices are limited to single-user applications, and could be expanded in the future for better inclusion of multi-user technologies.

Controversies

Researchers at the Semnan University of Medical Science have determined that while Remote Patient Monitoring is a more feasible type of care for elderly people at home, especially during a difficult period like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is difficult for physicians to maintain control over their care while not under their supervision . Different forms of Remote Patient Monitoring have varying effectiveness, with researchers supporting more resources going towards developing technologies which counter the pitfalls of these methods .