Clinicians today are busier than ever, with 69% of care providers seeing more patients now than they did two years ago. This influx in demand can lead to shorter visits with each patient, as a recent report found that over a quarter of clinicians feel they do not have sufficient time to provide quality care. The effects of limited time with patients go beyond the appointment itself, often influencing their experience long after they leave the clinic.
When patients have questions or concerns about their condition, they are eager for additional information, answers, and even reassurance. For faster results, they often turn to “Doctor Google” for information on what their symptoms could mean or for details on their condition. However, what they may not realize is that the information being shared with them isn’t always accurate or reliable.
To help patients feel empowered in making informed decisions about their health, they need reliable and consistent access to accurate and up-to-date details and data about their condition. Through this availability of responsible and proven information, patients may be more likely to embrace their at-home treatment and therapies.
Examples of how patients can feel more supported post-discharge or as they begin at-home therapies include:
- Sharing comprehensive patient education materials during in-person consultations to improve understanding of care plans
- Recommending patient-friendly apps with details about their therapy that are easy to access and use through mobile devices
- Using remote support technology that virtually connects patients with providers to discuss questions or concerns
Patients need to have a strong understanding of the point of their therapy, the way it is supposed to work, and how their care regimen will support its efficacy. Patients must feel like they are being heard by their care teams when they have questions or concerns, and have the ability to receive timely, accurate advice. Ultimately, when patients feel empowered to receive care at home, they may be more likely to remain compliant, which could reduce the symptoms of their condition.
Helping patients adapt to a new way of sleeping
Providing reliable patient education and remote support is particularly important in sleep and respiratory care. The first 90 days of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy are a critical period for building good habits and encouraging long-term adherence. Delivering the care patients need to feel supported, informed, and engaged depends on three key elements:
- Proper CPAP setup and solutions that can adapt to a patient’s unique needs from the get-go
- Masks tailored to fit a patient’s sleep style and characteristics
- Easy-to-use remote devices that support personalized care
Creating a strong support system through educational resources and technology is crucial in helping patients learn to use a CPAP mask and adapt to a new sleep routine. Wearing a mask at bedtime is an unfamiliar experience for most patients and can be intimidating. In fact, a 2024 study found it takes at least two to five months to develop a habit with a new health behavior, and that consistency can be effectively supported through coaching, ongoing training, and shared understanding of the “why.”
A well-fitting mask from the beginning can mean that patients will be more likely to continue with their treatment, which could help to improve their condition. Finding a properly fitting mask from the start could mean less time DMEs and care teams spend on troubleshooting, allowing them to focus more of their energy on delivering direct patient care. We must simplify the CPAP mask experience, and as healthcare providers, this is best achieved by being accessible to patients when they need us.
Driving better sleep care with data
To help track treatment progress and determine if interventions are needed, clinicians and patients need access to comprehensive and accurate patient data. This is an area where interoperable home-based technologies play a crucial role in integrating data into electronic medical records, empowering clinicians to make informed, timely, and accurate care-related decisions. This data also allows clinicians to gain a holistic view of the patient’s health between in-office visits, enabling them to have transparent conversations about progress and concerns. Having consistent and comprehensive data helps shift interactions between providers and patients from basic discussions about adherence to what really matters: sleep quality and its impact on overall health and well-being. These data insights are crucial in fostering a shared understanding of the importance of sleep.
Another critical aspect is user-friendly platforms that are intuitive for patients of all comfort levels with technology to navigate. For example, there are remote support apps that can be downloaded onto the patient’s mobile device and can help provide ongoing therapy support and encouragement. These apps can be a critical lifeline for patients, connecting them with coaching resources to address any challenges or concerns they may be experiencing with their sleep mask. They can also provide customized support to help patients remain adherent, such as sending notification reminders tailored to their habits. Remote support technologies are vital to enhancing patients’ confidence by providing the information they need to take control of their care at home.
The future of remote sleep & respiratory care in the digital age
Quality outcomes start with ensuring the patient is properly equipped with the right treatment and the right support system. This is key to reducing virtual visits to “Doctor Google” and empowering engaged patients to take ownership of their health and well-being. As healthcare continues to become more decentralized, enabling patients to be successful with their therapies at home isn’t just a “nice to have,” it’s a “must have.” Hospitals and health systems must embrace data-driven remote patient support – this model is the future of healthcare.
Photo: Vertigo3d, Getty Images
Dr. Jennifer Mattingley serves as the CMO, Head of the Medical and Clinical Office of Sleep and Respiratory Care business at Philips. She is a pulmonary and critical care specialist who completed her internal medicine residency at Gundersen Health System and her fellowship training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
She initially practiced in a community-based academic program in La Crosse, WI, where she served in many different leadership roles. She served as the Associate Director of the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic as well as the Medical Director of the Respiratory Therapy Training program. She also served as the Medical Director of the pulmonary procedural practice and pulmonary nodule clinic. She then transitioned to a new leadership role within the medical device industry, serving as a Global Medical Officer for Medtronic’s Lung Health business and Advanced Surgical Technologies businesses. She recently joined the leadership team at Philips Sleep and Respiratory Care.
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