Virtual health checks ‘should be new norm’ for chronic illnesses

PATIENTS with longterm health conditions should continue to be monitored at home instead of face-to-face after the Covid-19 crisis, experts say.

Thousands of Scots with heart conditions, diabetes and other chronic problems could use apps or other technology instead of having to attend appointments.

Outpatient appointments have been cancelled to free up the NHS for coronavirus patients and cut the risk of the disease being carried into hospitals.

This has led to many patients with non-urgent conditions having routine checks postponed or carried out via email or phone.

But experts from Glasgow University say home telemonitoring could make life easier for patients and halt the spread of infections in the long term.

‘Telehealth’ could become another standard home utility ‘like electricity, gas or the internet, said Professor John Cleland at the university’s Robertson

Centre for Biostatistics and Glasgow Clinical Trials Unit.

The Scottish Government has already launched a telehealth strategy with video consultations and home monitoring.

But Professor Cleland says this should now become the norm.

He said: ‘The Covid-19 pandemic is revolutionising attitudes to remote patient followup. We’re being forced to adapt.

‘In the past, there was reluctance about this, although those who support telemonitoring have been trying to make progress for the last 20 years.

‘But it has more or less all happened in the last 20 days and people can see the value of it.

‘The drive comes from both health professionals and patients, who want to comply with social distancing whilst ensuring continued delivery of good healthcare.’

He said that for patients with conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart or lung disease, the move could be preferable to waiting for an appointment.Patients could monitor their own blood pressure and send the results to a nurse while those with other conditions could report their symptoms and general health regularly with text reminders.

There is also the technology to allow monitoring of a patient’s cough through the microphone on their mobile phone to check their heart rate. Professor Cleland said: ‘With a routine hospital appointment, patients often have to take a half-day off work and take their car on the road just for a ten-minute check.

‘Adoption of home telemonitoring as a routine clinical service for most medical problems will improve the efficiency and quality of care, reduce demands on patients, and reduce healthcare costs and environmental pollution.

‘It will also reduce the spread of infections, whether that is the misery of coughs and sniffles and flu, or a lethal pandemic.’ But critics say virtual appointments cannot replace face-toface care for many patients.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs said: ‘The Covid outbreak has forced many of us into using technology and new working patterns with varying degrees of success.

‘While this may suit some patients and doctors it can never be a full substitute for face-to-face appointments.

‘Many people, particularly older people and children, need the reassurance and holistic approach of a face-to-face appointment.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Scotland’s NHS has, for some time, made use of technology to increase public access to health professionals, alongside face-to-face engagement, as part of our digital Health and Care Strategy.

‘The current Covid-19 outbreak has provided an opportunity for NHS health services to develop these approaches further, test new ways of working, and consider any lessons learned from this.’

‘We are being forced to adapt’