We all talk about technology taking the human race forward and how it is making lives much easier. This is indeed true; technology has improved the quality of life and, in some cases, has also expanded life expectancy. Its influence in healthcare has also been critical in driving the healthcare industry, and it has also been significant, from speeding up the care delivery processes to changing the very nature of healthcare practice.
However, there is a divide that people usually don’t talk about much. You need to have ground knowledge to uncover this specific aspect of care delivery. For instance, as many as 21.3 million people in the United States lack access to broadband internet. Despite being the leading market for digital care, as many as 21 million people lack access to telehealth solutions.
There are many reasons for this divide, from geographical, political to financial and cultural. But as healthcare accessibility has become one of the top priorities for the healthcare sector to move forward, the introduction of remote patient monitoring software has proved to be pivotal. From taking a hypotenuse route away from traditional care practices, RPM telehealth integration has had success in closing the gap in telehealth divide.
In this blog, let’s uncover how RPM improves chronic care in rural areas and how it is helping close these gaps and improving care delivery, paving the way for the future of the healthcare industry.
The Challenges of Rural Healthcare Access
Healthcare services are directly proportional to the population. The more the population the better the accessibility to healthcare services. This typically becomes a problem in rural areas with limited access to healthcare services. For people residing in this setting have to travel to different locations to access optimum care services, which not only disrupts their day-to-day business activities but the holistic care delivery becomes problematic.
Apart from that, with telehealth solutions divide naturally being more in such areas, the accessibility of services leads to negative health outcomes, which increases the chances of people suffering from chronic diseases, delayed diagnosis, poor treatment adherence, and ultimately poor health outcomes.
All this increases the financial burden on patients in rural areas. They not only have to travel to different to access care services but also have to miss out on day-to-day business.
Bridging the Gap with Remote Patient Monitoring
One of the major benefits of remote patient monitoring in rural areas is that it allows continuous monitoring of patient vital signs. By collecting important health data from a patient’s vital signs like blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, etc., in real-time with the help of RPM devices and sending it to the provider’s system, it enables providers to analyze and provide care services virtually.
Apart from that, digitally bridging the gap between patients and care providers eliminated travel requirements and improved medication and treatment adherence. This significantly reduces the burden on patients, and with remote accessibility to care services, it proactively involves patients in their care journey, and the continuous flow of data enables early detection of possible diseases, which completely changes the nature of care delivery from reactive to proactive.
Though it was observed that initially people had difficulties in using the RPM devices. This however has been overcome with the help of smartphones and adding the factor of suitability for patients with various technical expertise, making care services much easier and affordable. These are the benefits of RPM in rural settings.
Expanding the Scope of RPM in Rural Care
Remote patient monitoring has overcome the limitations put forth by traditional care practices. Simply by enabling continuous monitoring of patient vital signs, it largely closed the gaps between care delivery. The integration of wearable technology for actively tracking and monitoring sleep patterns relatively closes the gap between effective and proactive care delivery.
Taking a step forward and going beyond the basic factors of healthcare, RPM has the potential to change the very nature of healthcare practices from reactive to proactive. For instance, providing personalized care with targeted interventions and the right educational material to raise awareness for rural patients not only empowers patients to proactively participate in their care journey but also takes a holistic route to get desired health outcomes.
Along with that, RPM has proved to be very effective in mental health management for the rural population. Mood and vital signs tracking, along with remote therapy sessions, has not only helped people better manage their mental health but also prioritized it by taking effective measures. The cost-effectiveness of RPM in telehealth also becomes a major advantage for people in rural setting in receiving better healthcare.
Overcoming Barriers to RPM Adoption in Rural Areas
The major barrier to RPM services in rural areas is the internet connectivity. There are as many as 21 million people in rural areas with limited access to broadband internet and those who have often encountered poor data privacy.
To overcome these major barriers in RPM adoption, one of the best practices is to partner with telecommunication providers to enable telehealth solutions services. Along with that, the factor of data security can be easily overcome by educating patients about data security and how they can safeguard their data. This is how telehealth improves healthcare in rural communities.
The role of RPM software also plays a crucial role in this and it is required to be abiding by the necessary regulatory policies. With CMS actively encouraging the practice of telehealth solutions, the government can play a crucial role in the adoption of telehealth in rural healthcare settings. Cost-effectiveness of RPM in telehealth allows people to overcome a major financial barrier with better and efficient resource.
Conclusion
By enabling virtual care practices and bridging the gap between patients and providers in a typical rural setting, RPM has made a successful attempt to bridge the gaps between telehealth divides in rural areas. This means with RPM adoption, rural populations can not only have better access to care services but also be receiving holistic care.
RPM revolutionizes healthcare access and improves healthcare outcomes for rural residents by data driven healthcare practices and enabling holistic care delivery.
Expand your healthcare practice and access to the areas where you physically cannot be present with RPM. Click here for a free consultation and know how RPM software can revolutionize your care practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is RPM secure?
RPM itself helps with secure software delivery. It uses signatures to verify package integrity and authenticity. However, secure download depends on the repository (HTTPS recommended) and user vigilance (not trusting unknown signatures).
- Does RPM require special equipment?
The answer depends on which RPM you mean. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) often uses devices like blood pressure cuffs or weight scales, but some programs work with smartphones you might already have. For car engine RPM, no special equipment is needed – the car itself has a tachometer to measure it.
- Is RPM reimbursable by insurance?
Reimbursement for RPM (Remote Patient Monitoring) depends on your insurance. Medicare and some private insurers cover it, but coverage varies. Always check with your insurance provider to see if they reimburse RPM services and what requirements they have.
- What is remote patient monitoring (RPM)?
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) lets healthcare providers track your health data from home. You use devices like blood pressure monitors or wearables to collect data, which is then sent to your doctor for review. This helps them monitor chronic disease management and intervene if needed, all without frequent in-person visits.
- How does RPM benefit rural healthcare?
RPM tackles two big challenges in rural healthcare: distance and access to specialists. By remotely monitoring patients’ vitals and health data, doctors can track chronic conditions, intervene early, and avoid unnecessary travel for patients. This improves care quality and empowers patients to manage their own health.
- What are the challenges of implementing RPM in rural areas?
Implementing RPM in Rural Healthcare Systems is promising, but faces hurdles. These include: patchy internet access, limited tech literacy, and lower reimbursement rates for providers in these areas. This can hinder both patient participation and program sustainability.
- How can rural communities overcome the technological barriers to RPM?
Rural areas can bridge the RPM tech gap by using cellular devices instead of internet-dependent ones. Offering user-friendly devices with minimal setup and providing training for patients and staff can boost adoption. This increases accessibility and empowers rural communities to reap the benefits of remote patient monitoring in rural areas.
- What health conditions can RPM help manage effectively?
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) shines in chronic disease management. This includes diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and lung issues. By tracking vitals and symptoms remotely, RPM empowers patients and helps doctors intervene early, potentially reducing hospital visits and improving overall health.
