Remote monitoring of heart failure: younger patients, those with lower levels of health are less likely to comply
Eighty % of patients (707) started using the system.Younger patients (under 65) and those with lower levels of health were less likely to stay with the remote monitoring technology to monitor their condition, compared to elderly patients and those with higher health literacy skills, a new study.
Remote monitoring systems use information technology to monitor patients remotely. They are rapidly becoming a strategy for improving care for patients with heart failure, however, the results are conflicting. This study found that patient characteristics are important in determining who will use the new technology and how it can be critical to success.
After a week, 90 % of those who started the system reference is made to their weight and symptom data at least three days a week.
In the six-month study, researchers evaluated 826 patients enrolled in the control arm of Tele-HF multicenter randomized clinical trial. They examined the use of a telephone system that allowed patients to use the telephone keypad to enter information on their daily symptoms and weight. They found:
Understanding the factors that influence whether a patient will participate and remain in the remote monitoring can help improve the design and then to participate in these programs, the researchers said.
Patients under 65 and those who said they were more satisfied with their care were more likely to start using remote monitoring technology.