AI-Powered Remote Patient Monitoring
In rural areas, remote patient monitoring (RPM) helps patients stay connected to their healthcare providers between in-person visits. RPM uses digital technologies (connected devices and wearable sensors) to collect health data from patients at home and transmit it to healthcare providers for review and action. RPM commonly involves tools including connected devices like blood pressure cuffs, weight scales, glucose meters, and wearable sensors, that capture data on blood pressure, weight, and blood glucose levels.
Rural healthcare providers use RPM to support chronic disease management, including conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as for sleep-wake disorders. RPM works best when healthcare providers actively engage with the data by reviewing trends or adjusting medications or treatment plans.
RPM tools use AI to help healthcare providers manage patient data in real time. AI-enabled RPM tools use algorithms to identify abnormal trends, prioritize alerts, and flag patients who may be at higher risk. AI-enabled RPM can also help providers make faster decisions compared to manual data review. For example, AI-enabled wearables, AI-enabled cameras, and motion-monitoring systems can detect falls or changes in mobility patterns among older adults and send alerts to caregivers or healthcare providers. AI-enabled RPM tools can also be integrated with electronic health records so providers can develop individualized treatment plans.
A related approach is remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM), which focuses on monitoring patient activity, daily routine, and adherence to treatment plans. RTM is commonly used to monitor musculoskeletal disorders, and, to a lesser extent, respiratory disorders, and mental and behavioral health disorders. The clinical benefits of RPM and RTM vary by condition and are greatest when providers are actively engaged.
Examples of Rural Programs Using AI-Powered Remote Patient Monitoring
- The Heritage in Lyngblomsten, Minnesota and The Forest at Duke in Durham, North Carolina have used AI in assisted living and memory care settings. Sensors and an app give caregivers quick access to information about residents' daily routines and health. When a resident needs help, the app sends an alert so staff can respond right away. It also shows patterns that help caregivers adjust care plans and identify health issues early.
- Greenville Healthcare Associates, a mid-sized family practice in North Texas, uses remote patient monitoring for people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Considerations for Implementation
AI-enabled RPM can help overcome some distance and healthcare access barriers common in rural areas, reducing travel to appointments and delays that increase the risk of complications, preventable hospitalizations, and poor health outcomes. The specific benefits of RPM vary by condition. RPM may work best for a short period of time and for a specific health condition, rather than for continuous monitoring for all patients.
Medicare reimburses healthcare providers for RPM and RTM services, including device supply, education and setup, and data review and management. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services expanded reimbursement eligibility to include Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), expanding access to these services for people living in rural communities.
There are many different health technology companies that support AI-enabled RPM tools. Effectiveness depends on how the technology is designed, who is using the data, and how well the tools are integrated into the healthcare organization's workflow. Challenges perceived by healthcare practitioners include concerns around their workload, data inaccuracy, patient use of technology, including digital and health literacy, and privacy concerns. As with other AI tools, AI-enabled RPM tools carry risks and challenges, including data security and privacy, provider trust and potential overreliance, and patient acceptance.