The patient experience of remote telemonitoring for heart failure in the rural setting: a literature review

Abstract

Background: Remote telemonitoring is utilised to provide specialised care to people with heart failure living in rural locations. There is limited research into the patients’ experience of telemonitoring.

Objective: This literature review was completed to examine the available evidence and inform the development of a telemonitoring service.

Methods: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Medline; CINAHL database, Joanna Briggs Institute, AMED, EMBASE were searched using the key words. A thematic analysis was applied.

Results: Forty-six studies reviewed, 11 met inclusion criteria. Individual health status, use of technology, and effect on lifestyle influenced the patient experience.

Conclusion: Limited literature was available addressing the patient experience of telemonitoring and no studies were found that specifically investigated the experiences of patients with heart failure in rural locations. Further research is required to examine the patient/user perspective of this type of service, and explore the feasibility of including telemonitoring in usual care.

Keywords:

• heart failure
• telemonitoring
• chronic disease
• health services needs and demand
• humans
• research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.