Bridging gaps in heart failure care: how remote monitoring enhances health equity and access
O Chausiaux, J Harris, S Guest Guy, M Keyser, G Wiliams, A Zieba, S HusheerAbstract
Background
Health equity challenges, particularly for those with heart failure (HF), limit access to care, leading to worse outcomes and increased hospitalisations. Socioeconomic, geographic, and logistical barriers restrict access to necessary care. Remote monitoring technologies could help address these disparities by providing timely data for early intervention. However, patient engagement with these technologies faces challenges such as transportation, communication with providers, financial constraints, and adherence to heart failure guidelines.
Methods
The study involves 50 HF patients from deprived areas in the UK, all part of the HF-TRACK study. At month 3, patients were surveyed about healthcare access and challenges. The questionnaire covered transportation, financial burdens, communication with providers, and confidence in managing heart failure. Scenarios were used to assess whether participants would seek medical help in various situations.
Results
Preliminary data show 32% of participants struggled to attend appointments, with financial barriers like travel and parking being the main issues. Over half were unaware of the importance of regular self-weighing, a key part of HF management, despite this being a key recommendation from clinicians. Additionally, patients from deprived areas were less likely to seek medical attention, even when symptoms warranted it.
Conclusion
Despite the availability of free healthcare through the NHS, barriers like access, financial constraints, and poor confidence in self-management remain significant, particularly in socioeconomically deprived areas. Addressing these equity issues is vital to ensuring that remote monitoring technologies benefit all HF patients and are adequately represented in clinical research.