The History of Remote Therapy Monitoring and its Growth out of Remote Patient Monitoring

The history of remote therapy monitoring (RTM) in the US dates back to the early 2000s when healthcare providers and organizations began to explore the potential of telehealth technology. The primary motivation for the development of remote therapy monitoring was to improve access to healthcare for patients living in rural or remote areas, where access to in-person medical services was limited.

Remote therapy monitoring grew out of remote patient monitoring (RPM) as a way to provide more personalized care to patients. With remote patient monitoring, health care providers can collect data from patients’ homes and use it to assess their health and well-being. This data can then be used to inform personalized treatments and therapies. With remote therapy monitoring, health care providers can use the data from remote patient monitoring to provide remote therapy sessions and provide more personalized care to patients. Remote therapy monitoring can include cognitive behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, as well as education sessions, motivational interviewing, and other types of psychotherapies.

The early remote monitoring systems were primarily focused on remote patient monitoring, which included patients with chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. These systems used various technologies such as telephone calls, text messaging, and remote monitoring devices to collect and transmit data from patients to healthcare providers.

In 2011, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) adopted the use of remote therapy monitoring as a covered benefit for patients with chronic conditions. The adoption of remote therapy monitoring by CMS was a significant milestone in the development of telehealth technology in the US, as it paved the way for the widespread adoption of remote monitoring systems.

Since the adoption of remote therapy monitoring by CMS, the use of telehealth technology has grown significantly, and remote monitoring systems have become increasingly sophisticated. Remote therapy monitoring has been shown to improve patient outcomes in several ways. For example, patients who use remote therapy monitoring are more likely to adhere to their treatment plans and are less likely to be readmitted to the hospital. Additionally, remote therapy monitoring has also been shown to improve patient satisfaction, as patients are able to receive care in the comfort of their own homes.

Overall, the history of remote therapy monitoring in the US is a story of technological innovation, improved access to healthcare, and improved patient outcomes.  This progress isn’t always consistent or even, but it is happening.   The widespread adoption of remote therapy monitoring has made it possible for healthcare providers to deliver high-quality care to patients, regardless of where they live, and has helped to improve the lives of millions of people.

The principles andbenefits of remote therapy monitoring can be applied to mental health, specifically in the following way

1. Improving Access to Care: Just as with physical health, many people with mental health conditions live in rural or remote areas where access to mental health services can be limited. RTM can help to overcome this barrier by allowing mental health providers to deliver care to patients remotely.
2. Monitoring Symptoms: RTM can be used to monitor symptoms of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Patients can use digital tools, such as mobile apps, to regularly report their symptoms, which can then be analyzed and acted upon by mental health providers.
3. Enhancing Medication Adherence: RTM can be used to monitor medication adherence, which is particularly important for patients with mental health conditions who are taking psychiatric medications. Regular monitoring of medication adherence can help to ensure that patients are taking their medications as prescribed, which can improve the effectiveness of treatment.
4. Improving Patient Engagement: RTM can improve patient engagement by allowing patients to receive care in the comfort of their own homes, without having to travel to a healthcare facility. This can increase patient satisfaction and reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment.
5. Cost-Effective: RTM can be a cost-effective solution for delivering mental health care, as it eliminates the need for travel to a healthcare facility and reduces the need for in-person visits.

In conclusion, the learnings from RPM can be applied to mental health, specifically around RTM, to improve access to care, monitor symptoms, enhance medication adherence, improve patient engagement, and reduce costs. RTM has the potential to transform the delivery of mental health care and improve outcomes for patients.

The Noble Health Remote Therapy Monitoring platform gives health professionals a turn-key solution to track patient behavior and therapy adherence as well as solutions to objectively measure behavioral health, all providing hands-free ways to improve mental health outcomes while increasing revenue within the practice.  Contact Us Today to Learn More.