Remote management of heart failure patients: A p-health example

In this chapter we summarize the main concepts described in the book and illustrate a procedural example involving a concrete use case, the management of heart failure. p-Health (personal health) solutions aim to improve healthcare provided to patients and citizens, contributing to a better quality of life while helping in following treatment prescriptions. Further, they play a significant role in reducing healthcare-associated expenses. In designing p-health systems, there are same important aspects that must be taken into consideration: (1) specific and properly defined clinical needs, (2) available technological solutions, (3) benefit for the patient and caregivers, and (4) communication between patient and physicians. This chapter provides some practical considerations for the management of patients with heart failure, a pathology that represents a common, serious syndrome with a high prevalence in the adult population and especially in the elderly. Although the mortality rate has improved in recent years, heart failure is still a leading cause of death worldwide and has been recognized as a major and increasing public health problem. The correct management of the patient at home can prevent worsening of the illness and rehospitalization. This can be done through the use of proper tools tailored to the patient’s specific needs and capable of supporting the patient in better self-care. In practical terms, the described technologies allow moving toward a new concept of healthcare service, not only concentrated inside the hospital (where highly specialized activities are available), but also distributed among the population, allowing a more friendly management of the disease and a better quality of life for patients, as reflected in emerging concepts such as high-value care or patient-reported outcomes measurements.