There has been a significant increase in the use of mobile technology for the purposes of managing LTC’s (long-term conditions), such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or arthritis. Conditions like these pose a great financial cost to health systems like the NHS, as long-term attention and care is necessary for patients as they manage their condition throughout their life.
The Department of Health conducted a study in 2010 that found that over 90% of participants with LTC’s are keen to increase the self-management/care of their condition, with over 75% saying they could do this with confidence if there was a bit of external support from a professional or a friend. It has been over a decade since these statistics were published, and it is clear from other sources that this sentiment remains strong.
When the COVID-19 pandemic started, it was clear that a need for digital pathways of care was not only wanted, but necessary. People began missing their ‘not urgent’ appointments, and appointments in person became almost impossible to secure. Through the pandemic, many appointments turned virtual, with doctors relying on a phone or Zoom call to speak with their patients.
This transition highlighted many important things, two prominent ones being: 1) Some appointments that are regularly scheduled are unnecessary when a patient is doing well, and 2) Patients need appointments when they are unwell, and this can be at any time (not necessarily perfectly inline with their scheduled appointments.
This is where mobile technology can play a crucial role in the management of a chronic condition: through remote monitoring and patient initiated follow-up (PIFU).
NHSE London recently published their ‘Remote Monitoring Technical Review” which explores remote monitoring and its current status, growth, and effectiveness in today’s healthcare industry.
In the “Remote Monitoring Technical Review”, 8 themes were highlighted that the NHS have identified through conversations with stakeholders in remote monitoring in London.
The 8 themes highlighted in the review included:
- Pathways
- Benefits Realisation
- Convergence
- Collaboration
- Safety
- User Experience
- Interoperability
- Health Inequity
These are all themes that we explore through our work. To learn more about this, please contact us.
At Ampersand Health, we have developed mobile apps specifically for those living with long-term inflammatory conditions, such as IBD and arthritis. Patients who are a part of a hospital in the NHS that use our apps are able to be monitored by their clinical teams remotely. It helps patients take more control over their own care, using PIFU as the strategy to achieve better outcomes. Patients are able to initiate their next appointment, leading to a reduction in unnecessary face to face (or virtual) appointments, saving both them and their clinical teams time and money. By tracking their symptoms and ongoing health status, their clinician can see how they are doing, and intervene if they feel necessary.
As individuals will live with chronic diseases throughout their life, creating more effective routes of care is crucial. Using mobile technology in the management of chronic diseases allows patients to feel more in control and gain confidence about their health and treatment, and will allow clinicians to see patients when they need it the most.
Reach out to us
To learn more about Ampersand Health and how our platform can be implemented into your hospital, please contact us today at info@ampersandhealth.co.uk.
