Telemedicine shows promise in chronic disease management
Evidence shows that telemedicine can effectively improve care with patients with chronic conditions—but with a few caveats, according to a study published in Telemedicine and e-Health.
Researchers from the University of Michigan, the University of Kentucky and the University of Mexico conducted a literature review of evidence to determine the impact of telemedicine for the management of three chronic conditions: congestive heart failure, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Specifically, they analyzed studies published between 2000 and 2014 that they considered had "scientific merit."
While the preponderance of evidences points to positive benefits of telemedicine on chronic disease management, adopting a uniform approach to such services would be ineffective. However, benefits that were realized included:
- Reductions in hospital admissions and readmissions
- Reductions in length of hospital stay
- A decline in emergency department visits
“Despite some inconsistencies in methodologies, the preponderance of the evidence produced by telemonitoring studies points to significant trends in reducing hospitalization and emergency department visits and preventing and/or limiting illness severity and episodes, resulting in improved health outcomes,” wrote lead author Rashid L. Bashshur, PhD, from the e-health center at the University of Michigan Health System, et al. “ It is hoped that this evidence would be useful for policymakers, researchers, program developers, providers, payers and the public at large.”
Read the full paper.