By Finn Ryan
The Future of the Monitoring Market
A reliable and cost-efficient form of telehealth, Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) has accelerated rapidly in the wake of COVID-19. As companies adopt RPM programs, new devices are constantly in development. Find the emerging trends and devices of the monitoring market below!
What is Remote Patient Monitoring?
Although largely a product of the COVID-19 pandemic, Remote Patient Monitoring extends far beyond “socially distanced” healthcare. RPM programs utilize digital technology to connect patients with their primary care provider (PCP). Not only can they be in different locations, but the patient and PCP don’t even have to virtually meet. Indeed, for many conditions, the data collected and transmitted from the patient's at-home device(s) is enough to ensure their continued safety. Other cases require more attention and reporting.
Several symptoms and illnesses can be monitored with the devices in these programs:
Weight changes
Heart conditions
Hypertension
Atrial fibrillation
Diabetes
Sleep apnea
Just like any other medical solution, a RPM program is prescribed after a physician carefully assesses their patient. If the physician identifies the patient’s needs as conducive to RPM, the two will coordinate and develop the program details. A physician will likely tailor the program to the patient’s circumstances, bearing in mind the specific social determinants of health. The result of this analysis might include changing Bluetooth devices to those with cellular connection, or increasing the number of scheduled virtual visits.
Emerging RPM Devices and Trends:
Many of the above companies have pioneered the progress of the monitoring market. Withings Health Solutions, for instance, has introduced a health and fitness tracker known as the Pulse HR. This device falls under the term of “health wearables,” portable technology used for both personal and prescribed monitoring. Although health wearables are utilized beyond RPM programs, many of their functions help patients connect with their physician. These wearables attach to the body, like the wrist or waist, and detect, process, and chart the patient’s data. According to a Grand View Research report, the popularity of this health trend will only increase, with the market size growing from the current value of $71.91 billion to a predicted revenue of $186.14 billion. The trend also coincides with fitness and miniaturization movements. The production and usage of smaller devices benefits both manufacturers and consumers. The scaling-down trend also encourages creativity and innovation within the industry.
Other device trends include personal maternity and medication monitors, both of which have existed for years but have recently grown in popularity. Some maternal services, for example, are combinations of other RPM systems. Others offer new and specific transmissions for daily maternal recordings. As for medication monitors, these alerts are often integrated into multi-use devices. The information collected and delivered by such instruments can help determine if a patient is incorrectly taking their medication, leading to improved prescription adherence.
For more information on how to make the best device choices, view our posts on patient devices.
At Impilo, we are delighted by the possibilities presented by the expansion of the monitoring market. We also recognize the need for infrastructure and management behind these solutions. For help with this all, reach out to sales@impilo.health. Let Impilo bring your company into the future of RPM!