Telemonitoring: who is waiting for it?

Many parties see benefits in the development of telecardiology. Hospitals and physicians are confronted with an expanding number of patients with devices. This patient population has become more complex, since many have multiple chronic diseases. Also the devices have become increasingly more complex and require time consuming follow-up. Telemedicine is especially attractive in settings of chronic conditions that need to be followed up constantly. Remote monitoring will evaluate not only device functionality but also an ever-expanding spectrum of disease and patient related parameters. Atrial fibrillation and heart failure are typical examples, but evaluation of diabetic control, pulmonary function, and others may follow. For physicians and hospitals therefore there is an opportunity to improve performance, by following up more patients needing more complex chronic care. Remote monitoring also has the potential for improving care, due to earlier diagnosis of device and patient related problems, preventing admissions or further clinical deterioration. Also payers for healthcare are interested in the technology, since it may improve the cost effectiveness of their expenditures for these patient groups. Finally, patients not only seem to be open to telemedicine, but positively embrace it. …