Benefits of remote patient monitoring: 4 patient objections addressed
When it comes to population health and chronic disease management, there’s much to appreciate, and there are also aspects that require adjustment.
For providers, remote patient monitoring devices can deliver better data while reducing office visits, preventing unnecessary hospitalizations, controlling costs, and improving outcomes. Patients like remote care, too — one study from the consulting firm Accenture found that 60% of patients wanted to use technology even more to communicate with providers and manage conditions.
But not every patient will be receptive to the benefits of remote patient care from the get-go. It’s up to providers to listen to their concerns, address misconceptions, and find workable solutions to assure even the most reluctant adopters they can reap the benefits. Read on for key information to share with patients and how to respond to common objections to remote patient monitoring.
Benefits of remote monitoring for chronic care patients
As with any new treatment option, providers should explain their reasons for recommending remote monitoring, the risks and benefits, and the specific desired outcomes. For both patients and providers, one of the most important advantages to remote monitoring devices is the access to better data to guide decision-making. A more complete picture of how metrics such as blood pressure or blood glucose behave over time helps providers make the best possible treatment recommendations.
Another important consideration for patients: better adherence to recommended care plans, which is key to improving outcomes for chronically ill patients. According to a 2019 study published in BMC Family Practice, about half of chronic care patients don’t take their medications as prescribed. But remote care interventions, including frequent outreach from providers and information to improve patient health literacy, can improve adherence, according to a 2021 analysis in the Annals of Pharmacology.
Connected devices and user-friendly mobile interfaces mean that chronic care patients can stay in touch with care teams and benefit from additional support and accountability to make it easier to remain on track.
Remote patient monitoring can also help reduce patients' financial burden. Prescriptions, co-pays and co-insurance, emergency department visits and hospitalizations, lost earnings — the expenses can pile up fast and they can hurt. Fewer office visit co-pays, emergency department bills, or lost work hours may go a long way to easing that financial burden, while also improving outcomes.
Common objections and responses
Let’s explore four top objections and points you can make to orient patients with the benefits of remote patient monitoring.
Objection 1: I don’t know if my insurance will cover this.
Response: Many insurers, including Medicare and Medicaid, provide coverage for remote patient monitoring devices. There may still be a co-pay, but it’s an investment in your care that can represent greater savings overall. And it may help you avoid emergency department visits or hospital admissions further ahead.
Objection 2: My condition isn’t severe, so I don’t need remote monitoring.
Response: Remote monitoring is a great strategy to keep your condition under control and prevent complications later. With user-friendly tools, you can better understand your condition and improve your health.
Objection 3: I’m not tech savvy.
Response: The devices and app are designed to be simple for anyone to use. Our staff can help you with setup and support you when you have any questions.
Objection 4: I just want to keep writing things down in a journal.
Response: Since you’re already in the habit of keeping track of your health, remote patient monitoring will save you the extra step of handing over that record. A HIPAA-compliant remote patient monitoring solution provides a secure way for patients to provide information instantly to their providers.
Using the right tools to create a positive patient experience
While many patients were quick to adopt telehealth at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and have enjoyed the experience, not everyone is a fan. The Harvard Business Review reports that while most patients like the quality of remote care, the logistical elements — such as managing appointments and navigating patient engagement tools — can be a challenge. And while providers can’t erase patients’ previous negative experiences with remote care and virtual tools, they can invest in better solutions for their own practices.
Providers should implement user-friendly tools that integrate seamlessly with electronic health record (EHR), practice management, and chronic care management solutions. Online patient portals, mobile health apps, and automated messaging facilitate critical trust and connection with providers and reduce barriers to patient engagement.
Remote patient monitoring devices themselves should be user-friendly. Providers should choose high-quality remote patient monitoring solutions that include device education, ongoing support and included maintenance. With low barriers to use and accessible technical support — not to mention positive reinforcement from care teams — reluctant adopters can be won over.
Benefits of remote patient monitoring
Remote patient monitoring offers clear benefits in chronic disease management: It informs treatment decisions, controls costs, and promotes better adherence to treatment plans. For patients who are reluctant to try remote monitoring, providers should anticipate objections and offer workable solutions. User-friendly devices and apps with ongoing technical support are also key to a positive patient experience
