Jiang Li, CEO of Vivalink12.15.23
In recent years, remote patient monitoring (RPM) has emerged as a significant advancement in healthcare. Throughout 2024, certain trends will shape the next chapter of RPM’s evolution.
Anticipated trends include the integration of telehealth, chronic, and acute monitoring, continued growth of Hospital-at-Home (HaH) initiatives, as well as user-centric advancements in wearable technology. These trends provide an insightful glimpse into remote healthcare services’ dynamic development.
During the pandemic, Medicare reimbursements played a crucial role in propelling the shift from occasional virtual interactions to continuous remote monitoring. The early RPM phase focused on chronic care management for conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. Through the use of blood pressure cuffs and weight scales, RPM added tangible measurements to telehealth.
The use of RPM is shifting to acute care, employing real-time sensors to construct a comprehensive 24/7 patient picture. In 2023, we witnessed instances of this shift, with RPM vendors like Vivalink providing real-time continuous monitoring — a significant component of acute RPM. Throughout 2024, we will see the ongoing integration of telehealth, chronic, and acute patient monitoring into a digital healthcare platform.
Throughout 2024, vendors will need to be more aware of the importance of user-centric design and understanding the diverse needs of individuals. It's necessary to understand RPM's audience and how device usage may burden individuals, especially the elderly or those with health issues. Similar to appreciating font size on a screen, seemingly simple aspects can have profound impacts.
Successfully addressing adherence challenges requires more than technical or logical investments — it requires an understanding of human behavior. An often-overlooked, human-centric approach plays a role in shaping the success of RPM engineering and product initiatives.
Beyond financial considerations, governmental support adds another layer of significance. In countries with universal healthcare such as the United Kingdom, governments understand the importance of such models, as they provide more effective and cost-efficient care to a broader population. In 2024, reimbursements, value-based models, and government support will further propel the global adoption of HaH solutions.
Cardiac conditions, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), not only pose inherent risks to heart health but also significantly elevate the likelihood of related issues, including stroke. Monitoring these conditions through RPM is vital to mitigating the broader health risks associated with cardiovascular disorders.
In oncology, RPM is crucial for monitoring post-treatment symptoms, for both traditional chemotherapy and advanced treatments like CAR T-cell therapies. After treatment, certain side effects may appear, such as neutropenic fever, and monitoring them remotely is critically important. Wearable devices offer an effective way to observe and manage post-treatment without requiring frequent hospital visits.
Another significant consideration is remote cardiac rehab. While the Consolidated Appropriations Act extended telehealth services through 2024, the legislation did not include cardiac rehab as it is not classified as telehealth.
Recognizing the gap, lawmakers recently introduced the Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act. The proposed legislation aims to permanently allow patients to receive in-home cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services under Medicare. It will be important for healthcare providers to navigate regulatory intricacies throughout 2024 as they engage with the changing environment of remote healthcare services.
Jiang Li, Ph.D., is founder and CEO of Vivalink, Inc., a Silicon Valley company developing medical wearable sensor solutions for patient monitoring and telemedicine. Prior to Vivalink, Jiang held positions as VP of Engineering at Thin Film Electronics, Kovio, and Spansion, as well as the Director of Product Engineering at Advanced Micro Devices. Jiang earned his BS in Chemical Engineering from Zhejiang University, and his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, in 1998.
Anticipated trends include the integration of telehealth, chronic, and acute monitoring, continued growth of Hospital-at-Home (HaH) initiatives, as well as user-centric advancements in wearable technology. These trends provide an insightful glimpse into remote healthcare services’ dynamic development.
Integrating Telehealth and Monitoring
Prior to the pandemic, telehealth emerged as a basic service, which consisted of a video conference or phone call with a healthcare provider. As part of occasional follow-ups after procedures, telehealth was used to monitor patients. Pioneers like Teladoc targeted employers, providers, and payers, laying the groundwork for subsequent advancements.During the pandemic, Medicare reimbursements played a crucial role in propelling the shift from occasional virtual interactions to continuous remote monitoring. The early RPM phase focused on chronic care management for conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. Through the use of blood pressure cuffs and weight scales, RPM added tangible measurements to telehealth.
The use of RPM is shifting to acute care, employing real-time sensors to construct a comprehensive 24/7 patient picture. In 2023, we witnessed instances of this shift, with RPM vendors like Vivalink providing real-time continuous monitoring — a significant component of acute RPM. Throughout 2024, we will see the ongoing integration of telehealth, chronic, and acute patient monitoring into a digital healthcare platform.
User-Centric Advancements
When addressing patient adherence, it's not just about the technology's functionality — it's about understanding how it impacts users on a deeper level. Technology companies often ignore individuals' subjective experiences and habits. Unfortunately, older or sick individuals may not receive adequate consideration in the design process.Throughout 2024, vendors will need to be more aware of the importance of user-centric design and understanding the diverse needs of individuals. It's necessary to understand RPM's audience and how device usage may burden individuals, especially the elderly or those with health issues. Similar to appreciating font size on a screen, seemingly simple aspects can have profound impacts.
Successfully addressing adherence challenges requires more than technical or logical investments — it requires an understanding of human behavior. An often-overlooked, human-centric approach plays a role in shaping the success of RPM engineering and product initiatives.
Acceptance and Adoption of Hospital-at-Home solutions
Multiple factors influence the evolution of HaH initiatives, which allow patients to receive hospital-level care in their homes. In the United States, the focus has traditionally been on reimbursement. However, the healthcare landscape has shifted to value-based care. Organizations increasingly understand the inherent value of HaH, even if it doesn't directly generate revenue. Reimbursements and value-based models work together, driving further adoption of at-home hospital care services.Beyond financial considerations, governmental support adds another layer of significance. In countries with universal healthcare such as the United Kingdom, governments understand the importance of such models, as they provide more effective and cost-efficient care to a broader population. In 2024, reimbursements, value-based models, and government support will further propel the global adoption of HaH solutions.
Cardiology and Oncology Patient Populations Benefiting from Wearable Technology
In 2024, cardiology and oncology will continue to be key areas where RPM is increasingly implemented. Cardiac patches and wearables play an important role in addressing heart disease and cancer, offering valuable insights into cardiac conditions and monitoring post-treatment effects in cancer patients.Cardiac conditions, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib), not only pose inherent risks to heart health but also significantly elevate the likelihood of related issues, including stroke. Monitoring these conditions through RPM is vital to mitigating the broader health risks associated with cardiovascular disorders.
In oncology, RPM is crucial for monitoring post-treatment symptoms, for both traditional chemotherapy and advanced treatments like CAR T-cell therapies. After treatment, certain side effects may appear, such as neutropenic fever, and monitoring them remotely is critically important. Wearable devices offer an effective way to observe and manage post-treatment without requiring frequent hospital visits.
Navigating Regulatory Changes for Continued Adoption
Some key regulatory considerations will come into play in 2024. The Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative, a provision established during the pandemic, allows hospitals to expand their capacity to provide inpatient care in the home. With the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act in 2023, the initiative was extended through December 31, 2024. While its current status beyond 2024 remains uncertain, monitoring its progress is vital to the continued success of HaH programs.Another significant consideration is remote cardiac rehab. While the Consolidated Appropriations Act extended telehealth services through 2024, the legislation did not include cardiac rehab as it is not classified as telehealth.
Recognizing the gap, lawmakers recently introduced the Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act. The proposed legislation aims to permanently allow patients to receive in-home cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services under Medicare. It will be important for healthcare providers to navigate regulatory intricacies throughout 2024 as they engage with the changing environment of remote healthcare services.
Assessing RPM Trends in 2024 and Beyond
Throughout 2024, RPM will continue to shape the way we experience healthcare. Transformative shifts in healthcare are unfolding as we seamlessly blend telehealth, prioritize user needs, enhance cancer care with wearables, and witness global HaH adoption. However, healthcare providers and vendors will need to stay updated on regulatory changes as they navigate the evolving landscape of remote healthcare delivery.Jiang Li, Ph.D., is founder and CEO of Vivalink, Inc., a Silicon Valley company developing medical wearable sensor solutions for patient monitoring and telemedicine. Prior to Vivalink, Jiang held positions as VP of Engineering at Thin Film Electronics, Kovio, and Spansion, as well as the Director of Product Engineering at Advanced Micro Devices. Jiang earned his BS in Chemical Engineering from Zhejiang University, and his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, in 1998.