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Dec 26, 2022

What is Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)?

What is Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)?

Have you heard of ‘Remote Patient Monitoring’? Do you understand what it is and its benefits? Today, MEDcury will introduce this important medical technology to the Thai public health sector. Find out more here!


What is Remote Patient Monitoring?

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is the practice of monitoring patients who live at home from a distance using various digital technologies to measure and collect medical and other health data.


This information is then sent to healthcare providers electronically at regular intervals, allowing them to evaluate and provide necessary recommendations.


What Diseases Can Be Monitored with Remote Patient Monitoring and How Does It Work?


Many diseases can be monitored using Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, asthma, and even COVID-19.


This is done by using various medical devices to record data, such as weight scales, blood oxygen monitors, blood glucose meters, and blood pressure monitors.


For some conditions, more complex devices may be necessary, and patient training might be required. The data collected from these devices is then transmitted to healthcare providers via phone networks or Bluetooth for evaluation and advice.



Benefits of Remote Patient Monitoring

The goal of Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is to enable healthcare professionals to track the health of patients at home without location constraints. RPM reduces the need for frequent trips to medical facilities, which is particularly beneficial for elderly patients and those with mobility issues.


This technology not only enhances convenience but also saves time and costs. Additionally, healthcare providers can offer timely care, as they may detect issues from the data before the patient notices any symptoms.


Remote Patient Monitoring Around the World

Due to its effectiveness, RPM is widely used in many countries.

For example, in the United States, more than 23 million patients use RPM services and devices. Insider Intelligence predicts that by 2025, the number of patients using RPM in the U.S. will rise to 70.6 million, or 26.2% of the total population.

Remote Patient Monitoring in Thailand

In Thailand, RPM is still in the developmental and scattered stage. It is not yet widespread or standardized. Typically, RPM has been used for specific issues, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic when hospital beds were scarce.


Patients were provided with monitoring equipment like thermometers, pulse oximeters, and necessary medications for home isolation. They were required to report their symptoms, often through photos or messages, and schedule real-time consultations via apps like Line or hospital-specific telemedicine applications.


This situation presents a challenge for Thailand, where both the public and private sectors need to collaborate to expand and systematize the use of RPM technology more broadly.


If you're interested in discussing, exchanging ideas, or sharing information about health technology, feel free to connect with us at MEDcury.



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