Real-life scenarios illustrate benefits of remote patient monitoring

What is remote patient monitoring?

This video from MD Revolution illustrates one of many scenarios in which the benefits of remote patient monitoring come into play. Also known as “remote physiologic monitoring,” the technology collects data from patients between visits, helping providers extend their reach and care for greater numbers of patients. It also helps boost communication, reduce costs, and improve outcomes.

For all its benefits, remote patient monitoring remains a new concept to many patients. If your patients express hesitancy or just an interest in learning more, sharing common scenarios can help them understand why to use remote patient monitoring.

1. Care without in-person contact

Remember the early days of COVID-19, wondering when doctor’s visits would resume? During the pandemic, remote patient monitoring gained popularity. As with telehealth, it gave providers and patients a way to engage while maintaining social distancing requirements. Patients who tested positive for COVID-19 could enroll in remote patient monitoring programs to track their vitals from home, as was the case for subjects of this study published in The Permanente Journal. Understanding the benefits of remote patient monitoring, CMS reduced barriers to the service.

2. Guidance during difficult times 

In some cases, patients may have been recently diagnosed with a serious health condition and want advice between doctor’s visits or chronic disease case management services. They may have questions about how often to monitor their vitals or what constitutes a normal reading. Remote patient monitoring can help patients navigate their day-to-day lives during an uneasy time.

3. Engagement despite distance

Patients may be eager to see the doctor but unable to get to the clinic due to lack of transportation, physical limitations, or for other reasons. Remote patient monitoring spares patients the expense of travel while elevating their quality of care. As a result of improved access, patients may form a more positive opinion of healthcare, appreciating that it can be quick, customized, and available from the comfort of their homes.

4. New perspectives on healthcare

There are also patients who go to lengths to avoid the doctor’s office. Still, they may enjoy tracking their vitals and challenging themselves to improve their results. By signing up for remote patient monitoring, such patients can gain a comprehensive view of their health. Using their phone, they can monitor their metrics, thus becoming more involved in their health. 

5. Many patient stances, many benefits of remote patient monitoring

Do you know a patient who fits one or more of these descriptions? Remote patient monitoring may have potential for them. When the technology is integrated with your EHR, both you and your patient can view health data, share insight into how to stay on track, and take steps to achieve care goals.