The SSSC thanks Pamela Dimberline, Specialist Lead: Digital Health & Care, Digitally Enabled Workforce Team, NHS Education for Scotland for writing all the content below about remote health monitoring.
Introduction
Online services refer to any information and services provided over the internet. You can learn more about the internet by reading these short learning resources:
Goodwill Community Foundation: What is the Internet?
BBC Bitesize: What is the Internet?
Online services provide the infrastructure where people can use the internet to communicate and share information safely and securely.Remote monitoring is one type of online service where the use of everyday technology, like a mobile phone, tablet or computer, enables people to monitor, record, receive and share information about their health. It supports people to self-manage their health and wellbeing and helps service providers with personalised care, support planning and appropriate treatment.
Advantages of using remote monitoring for people include:
- Less time attending and travelling to appointments
- Better access to services
- Increased confidence and capacity to self-manage long term conditions
- More active and engaged in managing own wellbeing
Advantages of using remote monitoring for health and care services:
- Better availability of data to assist diagnosis and early intervention
- Greater adherence to treatment by patients/citizens
- Provision of care – right time, right place complementing existing services
- Productivity gains resulting from less travel and timely face to face contacts
- Better value for health and care resources
Learning activities
- Watch the video below to learn more about remote monitoring. Think about how technology could help the people you support to better manage their health and wellbeing. Make a note of at least three things that apply to your current role, or might apply as your role develops:
2. Remote monitoring solutions:
There are a number of different technology suppliers who provide solutions for remote monitoring, ensuring information is recorded and shared safely and securely. Within your day to day work you may come across different types of monitoring solutions, however they all provide the same safe and effective service, monitoring people’s health and wellbeing. Two current examples of remote monitoring solution are:
2.1 – Florence uses mobile phone text messages, sending reminders, advice, tips and questions by text. People respond with their health readings and wellbeing updates by text message. Anyone with a mobile phone can use Florence; they do not need a smartphone or internet access to use this service.
Florence is being used for recording and sharing: heart rate, temperature, weight, medication, blood oxygen, blood glucose, exercise reminders and other areas as they are agreed and set up by practitioners and service providers.
Read this case study: Focus on COPD: improving quality of life in the Highlands to see how Florence supports people in NHS Highland to take responsibility for their Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Watch these short Workforce Stories to see how Florence supports people better manage their long term conditions and make notes about how you could apply the information to your role. Attach your notes to your badge application for this ‘thing’.