Could technology revolutionize the way we handle long-term health issues?
Hangin' with chronic disease patients puts primary care docs in a bind, and digital health tech might just be the game-changer they need. Chronic conditions like heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and arthritis affect around half of U.S. adults, and their treatment takes up 86% of health spending.
So, what about digital solutions like remote monitoring, mobile health apps, and wearables? Are they worth a shot for our healthcare legends?
Medical News Today dug into the thoughts of primary care and internal medicine specialists about this. They saw the potential in new tech providing top-notch care but highlighted the obstacles that hinder its widespread adoption.
Remote Monitoring: Already a Success?
Doctors loved the idea of remote monitoring of patients' vital signs and symptoms via wireless devices. This approach enables prompt intervention when symptoms pop up and empowers patients to engage in their care. Dr. Suzanne Falck M.D., an associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, pointed to remote heart failure management as a current success story.
Clinical trials supporting remote monitoring have shown it to be cost-effective and effective in decreasing hospitalizations for patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices.
Medical Apps Stepping Up
Since 77% of U.S. adults own smartphones and half own tablets, mobile technology has massive potential for chronic disease management, says Dr. Judith Marcin M.D., a family practice specialist in Chicago. Patient-focused health apps empower people to take control of their health, with around 56% of the 259,000 available mHealth apps geared towards those with chronic conditions.
Type 2 diabetes patients who used an app to monitor blood glucose have seen a greater reduction in HbA1c levels (a measure of blood sugar control) compared to non-app users, with the most benefit seen in younger patients, as per clinical trials.
Wearable Trackers: The Future or Fad?
Dr. Marcin sees tremendous potential in wearable technology like FitBits, which monitor activity levels, sleep patterns, heart rates, and more. Studies are ongoing exploring their use in various health settings, with exciting prospects on the horizon, like portable cardiac monitors, EKGs, sleep cycle analyzers, and glucose monitors.
Wearables aren't a magical solution, though. A 2016 survey put usage at 23% in the U.S., 19% in Australia, and 15% in the U.K., and a whopping 30% of users quit their devices because they saw no benefit, got bored, or the device broke.
Access Issues
All interviewees worried about lack of access to technology among underserved groups, particularly low-income households. Seniors, often hit hardest by chronic diseases, were also underserved, with only 20% of older adults having tablets in their homes in the U.S., and barely any increase in digital health use between 2011 and 2014. Language barriers can also hinder the use of digital health tech.
Streamlining Adoption
"Easy-peasy tech" is the mantra. New tech should be user-friendly, intuitive, and effortless to learn; otherwise, practitioners and patients won't be eager to hop on board. Setting realistic expectations for new tech is also essential. Healthcare professionals must communicate the potential delays and changes during the transition to encourage widespread adoption.
When introducing new tech, it should complement patient-physician interactions, not interfere or add extra work. It should make healthcare better, right? Emphasizing the long-term benefits of technology can help build confidence in its eventual integration.
- Remote monitoring of patients' vital signs and symptoms, facilitated by wireless devices, is appreciated by doctors as it allows timely intervention and patient engagement, with remote heart failure management being a notable success.
- Mobile health apps have significant potential in managing chronic diseases, especially heart diseases, as they empower users to take control of their health. Type 2 diabetes patients using health apps have shown a greater reduction in HbA1c levels.
- Wearable technology, such as FitBits, have the potential to revolutionize healthcare with their ability to monitor activity levels, sleep patterns, heart rates, and more, but usage remains low, with many users quitting due to lack of benefit or boredom.
- Equitable access to digital health tech is a concern for healthcare professionals, particularly for underserved groups such as low-income households, seniors, and those with language barriers, who may lack the necessary technology and digital literacy. Simplifying technology, setting realistic expectations, and emphasizing long-term benefits can encourage wider adoption.
