As the world of telemedicine continues to expand and grow, so does the terminology surrounding it. Words like remote patient monitoring, chronic care management, and remote patient management all sound similar but have slightly different meanings. To effectively make the best of telemedicine and remote patient services it is best to understand these differences and understand how remote patient monitoring is different from management.

Remote patient monitoring and remote patient management are primarily differentiated on the level of engagement. All parties involved (i.e. the medical practitioner(s) and the patient) perform slightly different functions. Remote patient monitoring, for instance, can be used by anyone around the world, regardless of whether they are ill or not. It helps with the surveillance of the patient’s vitals – such as blood sugar or oxygen level, blood pressure, and so on. This data is then transferred to a health care practitioner for assessment if need be. Technically, a Fitbit or any other fitness watch for that instance can be counted as a remote patient monitoring solution.

Remote patient management on the other hand goes a step further by integrating solutions to healthcare concerns. For instance, if you have diabetes, the device will not just track your data but send you constant reminders for your insulin injections. The data is also sent to all caretakers and care team members of the patient who then receive optimized healthcare plans and solutions. This also means that the level of effort required on behalf of the patient varies.

A patient undergoing remote management will have to be more proactive in their own care. They receive detailed insights into their health, are given the liberty to manage their condition in their own way, and rely on software to get periodic reminders and information. Patients being monitored remotely on the other hand receive more personalized care from their healthcare provider. Since the primary goal of the process is to track vitals, based on their health status, the patient may or may not require constant checkups and/or medication. Remote patient management can help patients with chronic conditions save time and money spent on avoidable commutes and hospitalization. Patients from rural areas who might not be able to commute frequently, for example, can use this service to empower themselves.

Ideally, remote patient management is also designed to offer more insightful health data. What this means is that a patient opting for this method will have quicker access to both insights and solutions. Patients being monitored remotely on the other hand will need to wait for their healthcare practitioner to assess the information received by them and then offer solutions. Most often remote patient monitoring devices may not directly transmit data to a physician but require the individual to do it themselves.

In short, while monitoring can indicate what affects your health, management can indicate what improves your health. It is ideal to assess your situation and pick the solution that fits your needs best. Regardless of what you choose, both methods are extremely beneficial especially to enable connections with specialists from around the world.