Non-compliance can be an issue when it comes to patients relaying their daily, sometimes twice daily, measurements and this can reflect on the success of your Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) program.
Success is coupled tightly with patient compliance.
Patient compliance delivers better results by producing better health outcomes. It’s a cause and effect scenario.
Multiple studies have shown that if a patient regularly measures a specific item, for example, blood pressure, they will improve their overall health status.
In addition, the care team will have significantly more valuable data on which to base ongoing support.
This cause and effect principle is a two-way street in helping the patient achieve their best health outcome and your RPM program to become lucrative.
The more frequent and consistently the patients are at providing measurements, the more likely they and their care team will be able to work together to identify any adverse trends.
The principle of causation requires intervention before an event results in an ambulance ride, hospitalisation, or other high-cost incident.
According to 1Bioshealth the rule of thirds can be expected when dealing with patient compliance.
They found that a third of patients consistently relayed at least one measurement per day with no reminders or prompting. Whereas another third was not so regular, only sending measurements every couple of days after automated prompts and reminders flagged them. Lastly one third of patients were non-compliant.
So, how do you improve compliance to optimise your RPM program results?
Here are some tips.
- A good RPM program is supported by a full-featured technology system. This system should be capable of sending the patient an automated text and/or email message immediately after their measurement is overdue. This kind of automated “nudge” is incredibly powerful and efficient in eliciting compliance.
- As RPM is a two-way street, a patient’s compliance or non-compliance alerts should notify their Care Team who can then proactively assess an appropriate cause of action.
- Reach out to the patient by call, text, email, or real-time video to inquire as to why measurements are not coming through. Together, the Care Team and patient may be able to discover the root cause of the issue while forming a bond, allowing compliance to exist. Never underestimate the human connection through video conference calls. They are invaluable.
- Positive feedback never grows old. Your RPM program should have the capability to deliver the patient an immediate text and/or email with a validating message of positivity. Emojis such as smiley faces, high 5s or even a simple thank you enforce positive habits.
- Tracking progression is motivating especially when the progress is positive. RPM programs should have an optional patient-facing web portal where patients can view results and trends in their health journey. This enables them to take ownership of their healthcare.
- Family members, friends and caregivers can serve as an extended “care team” keeping the patient on track by providing reminders, support, and encouragement.
- On agreement to participate, patients acknowledged the benefits of compliance with the RPM program, so as a last resort, sending an official Compliance Request Letter highlighting this fact could be sent out.
Higher compliance in patients is a reflection of one or more of the above-mentioned tips. Patients would be more likely to take their measurements on time if they know their Care Team is favourable and friendly toward them. It’s the cause and effect of human nature. 
Also, the tendency for human performance to improve when it is being observed will drive higher compliance, and as a result better outcomes for your RPM program.
If you would like to discuss the best RPM approach for your organisation and patients, book a meeting with Aaron Grandison today. Contact him via email on agrandison@RPM-H.com.au or mobile 0434 515 521