Remote health solutions treat patients with chronic conditions and proactively guide patients toward recovery, using real-time data monitoring.
Chronic conditions–such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and more–are responsible for seven out of ten deaths in the United States, killing 1.7 million Americans each year. On top of that, chronic conditions are also the country’s most expensive healthcare concern; in 2005, 75% of public and private healthcare spending went toward chronic disease.
As researchers and medical professionals seek new methods to combat chronic conditions, a valuable solution has emerged: remote healthcare monitoring. Remote healthcare monitoring allows healthcare professionals to more consistently manage chronic conditions by monitoring the high-risk population conditions even from within their home.
With today’s technology, those with chronic conditions can stay connected with their caretakers and health professionals using real-time health monitoring tools. Often referred to as telehealth or telemedicine, these methods encompass a wide range of different monitoring solutions, from clinical phone consultations to artificial intelligence monitoring and screening.
A proactive approach
Environmental factors such as diet and lifestyle are major contributors to chronic disease. Unfortunately, current practices for disease management focus on treatment rather than prevention. Face-to-face visits might occur only once the disease has progressed or has already become debilitating.
While treatment is an important part of addressing chronic conditions, preventative solutions are critical for avoiding the initial onset of disease in at-risk populations, as well as preventing progression and deterioration once diagnosed. Remote health solutions use real-time patient monitoring and artificial intelligence analysis of behavioral and medical data to detect early warning signs for disease and exacerbations, thereby enabling early treatment and prevention.
On-demand access and support
Consistent healthcare evaluation is one of the primary advantages of remote patient monitoring solutions. These apps and IoT devices provide health professionals and caretakers with real-time access to patient’s health data so that they can passively monitor their health. In doing so, they can anticipate patient needs, address patient questions and concerns, and adjust their recommendations and advice based on data analysis.
Healthcare from the home
Remote health solutions enable patients who are managing chronic conditions to get support anytime and anywhere. Remote care benefits patients who are homebound due to old age, physical weakness, or disability, or who live in rural areas with limited resources or accessibility to care. For patients with chronic conditions, inaccessibility can be a barrier to obtaining sufficient care.
Patients who use remote health tools are guaranteed care from the comfort and convenience of their homes. Not only does this provide them with frequent, high-level care, but it does so in a way that doesn’t interrupt their daily lives. Constant healthcare visits to various specialists several times per week are disruptive and exhausting, even for patients for whom in-person care is more accessible. By making it possible to care for patients within their homes, remote solutions help patients live more relaxed, comfortable, and fulfilling lives.
Care for older adults
The majority of people with chronic conditions are older adults over the age of 65. In fact, eighty percent of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and seventy-seven percent have at least two.
For these individuals, easy accessibility and constant support play a critical role in improving their quality of life. Accessibility not only improves the care of those who are homebound, but it also empowers older patients by helping them maintain their independence.
Using remote health solutions for chronic care management
Chronic conditions are best managed through a combination of in-person visits and remote care. Remote health solutions make health monitoring an integral part of patients’ day-to-day lives while being less time-consuming and disruptive to the patient. By using health monitoring tools that enable remote engagement, healthcare professionals can monitor patients with chronic conditions and provide them with on-demand care and support.
With remote healthcare, older adults can live longer in the home of their choice while continuing to pursue their favorite hobbies and activities. The result is that healthcare is monitored more closely and consistently, while older adults can remain independent and productive.
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