Using Remote Patient Monitoring tools for children is important to roll-out digital healthcare technologies in a larger scale.
Remote patient monitoring tools help deliver health services to patients outside of a conventional care setting by connecting patients and healthcare providers through technology. Mobile health (mHealth) applications can collect medical data such as vital signs, weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and electrocardiograms. [1] [2]
In general, children and adolescents can be more open to technology than adults, therefore a digital health solution is more likely to appeal to them. The main characteristic shared by the post-millennial generation (people born after the 90’s) is their widespread use of internet and technology since they were toddlers.
To improve people’s lifestyles and the healthcare system, remote patient monitoring technology should be prioritised. By using today’s technology, individuals can learn to improve their health and the healthcare systems can overcome the new obstacles being faced every day.
Remote Patient Monitoring
Monitoring applications can collect a broad range of health data which is then transmitted to health professionals in facilities such as monitoring centres, hospitals and intensive care units, skilled nursing facilities, and centralised off-site case management programs. Health professionals monitor these patients remotely and act on the information received as part of the treatment plan. [2]
Monitoring systems can provide a more patient-centric treatment, decrease costs, improve outcomes and enable remote care. While there are clearly many benefits to remote patient monitoring, the issue of engagement remains the same. Patients need time to learn about new technologies in order to feel comfortable using them on a daily basis. [4] [3]
For this reason, using remote patient monitoring in children is so powerful. Young generations have an innate sense of technology, whereas the elderly are still reserved in using technology for health purposes. Besides, by using this type of system in children, parents are also being engaged at the same time since most parents are very engaged in their child’s health, which provides a tremendous opportunity for healthcare systems. [3]
Introducing new technologies can be challenging since all stakeholders need to be on board and must be comfortable using the system, therefore hospitals and healthcare systems need to find easy-to-use solutions that easily fit into the users’ lives. For example, the Monsenso mHealth platform for mental health can help a child or adolescent with a mental or behavioural health issue to keep track of their mood and symptoms. It can also notify their carer and healthcare provider when the user is displaying triggers or warnings signs so they can receive the help they need. A teacher or a school counsellor can also be asked to provide feedback of the students that are struggling with their mental health, in this way, children and adolescents can feel supported and cared for.
Old habits are hard to overcome, which is why the best way of incorporating new technologies is to appeal to today’s children, who will introduce the technology to their elders and share it with future generations. MHealth solutions can help societies succeed in an era of individualised healthcare, where patients are empowered to help manage their own care.
References:
[1] Remote Patient Monitoring. Canada Health Infoway.
https://www.infoway-inforoute.ca/en/solutions/consumer-e-services/remote-patient-monitoring
[2] Remote Patient Monitoring. Center for Connected Health Policy
http://cchpca.org/remote-patient-monitoring
[3] Should we be looking at children to learn about remote patient monitoring? Smartphone Healthcare.
http://www.smartphonehc.com/2016/02/24/should-we-be-looking-to-children-to-learn-about-remote-patient-monitoring/
[4] Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) – Security and Other Adoption Barriers. HIMSS mHealth Community. 2015
http://www.himss.org/ResourceLibrary/genResourceFAQ.aspx?ItemNumber=36893