Evaluating the Benefit of Remote Patient Monitoring in Primary Care.

Authors

Kevin C. Akor, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Internal Medicine

Advisor

Dr. Tom Colletti, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The recent COVID-19 pandemic shifted attention to patient care outside the hospital, urgent care, and physician offices to curb the spread of the virus. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) came in handy to continue the much-needed care. The purpose of this article is to review the benefits of remote patient monitoring in primary care in reducing Emergency Room (ER) visits and hospital admissions and readmissions, the burden of responsibility to the patient, and the risks of radiofrequency associated with RPM devices.

Method: This study was a secondary analysis of data from multiple randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, a meta-analysis of systematic reviews, cohort studies, and retrospectively reviewed literature. A literature search was conducted on PubMed database, Medline database, and Google scholar. From the home page of PubMed, using the advanced search link "Remote Patient Monitoring" and "Primary Care" were typed into the search builder. Out of the sixty-three narrowed search results, twenty-five patients' articles were retrieved and served as the basis for this clinical review.

Results: A large volume of evidence-based research reported positive benefits of RPM, reduced ER visits, hospitalization, and rehospitalization, decreased exacerbation of chronic illness, and a general positive patient outcome.

Conclusion: The literature presented evidence of RPM's upward trajectory in patients' care. There is overwhelming evidence of RPM in reducing ER visits and hospital admission. However, there was little or no statistical difference in benefit between RPM and the regular physician office visit. Physicians and patients shared positive views of RPM, although there were reservations and apathy on the burden of self-care and the radioactive risks of the RPM devices.

Recommended Citation

Akor KC. Evaluating the Benefit of Remote Patient Monitoring in Primary Care.. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2022; 4(2).