Implementing telemonitoring systems may not yield the same benefits in primary care practices as in research trials of the same systems, due to the lack of resources and lax protocols, according to research in Telemedicine Journal and E-Health.
Researchers interviewed approximately 100 diabetes patients from six primary care practices who were using telemedicine monitoring to track their health at home. Researchers also conducted interviews with the nurse care coordinators and physicians responsible for the patients.
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While all stakeholders had different concerns, recurring themes included understanding the limits of the telemonitoring technology, understanding the willingness of patients to sue the technology, understanding the human support needed to support successful telemedicine interventions, engaging physicians and involving patients in the entire process.
Researchers concluded although all stakeholders seemed enthusiastic about patient-centered care, concern about lack of infrastructure for telemedicine was prevalent among all parties.
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