Building Trust: Addressing Patient Concerns about Remote Patient Monitoring

Did you know there has been a dramatic increase in the number of patients using remote patient monitoring services from 2020 at 29.1 million to 709.6 million in 2024 in the United States alone?

Studies have projected a steep growth trajectory in the adoption and usage rate of remote patient monitoring software systems. The factor of convenience it adds in providing healthcare services have had an industry defining impact on the healthcare practices.

Its adoption in healthcare practices enables healthcare providers to collect health data of patients in real-time and that too remotely. Reducing the burden on healthcare providers has given rise to a new trend in the healthcare industry, which is starting to become a standard industry practice.

The use of mobile technology is one of the driving factors in the transition of care delivery from traditional practices to digital healthcare practices. Despite this there is a particular section in the population that do not completely trust the use of remote patient monitoring programs for their health.

In this blog, we’ll have a look at the patient concerns while using remote patient monitoring and see how remote patient monitoring has become a new-age approach to providing holistic care.

Security & Privacy Fears

The first and foremost concern of patients using remote patient monitoring software is that of the security of their personal data. The major threat in this being the possibility of cyberattacks, however understanding this concern, the regulatory bodies have set some standards to safeguard the fundamental right of the patients.

That is the reason remote patient monitoring software systems come with robust encryption practices and compliance with the regulatory standards like HIPAA, GDPR, HITECH Act, etc. Such security measures not only help patients to have a sense of assurance of their privacy but also bring transparency in healthcare practices.

User-friendliness & Lack of Technical Expertise

The patient population that every clinic deals with is wide and diverse. Not everyone is technology friendly and may not know how to appropriately use the software of devices. This concern can be addressed by imbibing a user-friendly design of the software and devices. For instance, with a clear interface and smooth navigation, even a patient with minimal technical knowledge could easily use the technology.

Along with that, you can also add readily available training material to the patients for the right use of the technologies. However, if you want to add a personalized touch to the training model, then you can include a video tutorial showcasing the step-by-step guide to using the RPM devices and software.

Cost Concerns & Insurance Coverage

One of the major benefits and the reason why remote patient monitoring has become so popular amongst users is the cost-saving benefits that it offers. For instance, remote patient monitoring used in chronic disease management reported a significant reduction in patient hospital readmission.

The remote access to care saves the traveling cost for the patient. When this is combined with continuous monitoring of patient health vitals, it provides healthcare providers with crucial data and health patterns that helps them in providing effective care by taking appropriate preventive measures. 

Apart from these cost-saving benefits, the RPM program is covered by the CMS and offers specific insurance coverage for the use of technology in providing care services. All these combine to provide the patient with great cost-saving benefits that reduce the overall expenditure or spending of receiving healthcare services.

Lack of Awareness & Perceived Benefits

Oftentimes in the healthcare delivery landscape, patients who receive care do not know the implications of the diseases. That is why providers spend a significant amount of time educating the patient about their conditions and the lifestyle changes they need to make to avoid any further complications. Though this was thought to be impossible in virtual care delivery, it actually became more handy and one of the best ways to spread awareness amongst patients about their condition.

For instance, RPM software and systems requires patients to collect their health vitals themselves which empowers them to proactively participate in their care journey. The educational material shared with them also helps them to raise awareness and the secure messaging features allows them to connect with their care team members in real-time in case of any doubts.

However, the real-time collection of data helps bring transparency in their care journey. This then acts like a mirror for the patients to self-introspect and take effective measures to bring changes in their lifestyle for better self-management. 

Concerns About Data Misuse or Overreliance on Technology

The healthcare IT landscape is prone to cyber threats, and one of the major concerns of patients has been about the ethical usage of data. Though a secure ecosystem is already in place to maintain the integrity of the healthcare practice, there are still concerns that need to be addressed. For instance, remote patient monitoring software comes with data access controls that only allow authorized personnel to access the data for specific purposes. Along with that, before even starting the RPM program, the patients are required to give their consent, which clearly states the rightful and ethical usage of the data collected, which is to improve their health and provide better care services.

Another concern that many patients have about using RPM services to receive care is the overreliance on technology while providing care. Which is fair for the complete digital ecosystem that the healthcare industry leaders are trying to create. However, the role of remote patient monitoring is used as a tool to complement and not replace traditional practices completely. Every digital care service requires you to first have a physical in-person consultation so that the integrity of the practice and patient trust is maintained.

Conclusion

With the rising rate of technology in healthcare and day-to-day life of common people, the concerns about patient data safety and privacy has become one of the top concerns. However, the new-age healthcare technologies like remote patient monitoring are taking effective measures to not only safeguard the patient data but also to maintain the integrity of their healthcare practice.

The major benefits of remote patient monitoring in this dynamic healthcare landscape has been beneficial for both patients and providers in many ways. While it improves patient engagement in their care activites on one side and allows them to self-manage their health better, on the other hand it helps healthcare providers in changing the very nature of healthcare delivery from reactive to proactive.