UK Law and Practice Contributed by: Amélie Chollet, Hannah Curtis and David Dennis, CMS
Remote Consultations Telemedicine enables doctors to consult with patients via video, phone or online platforms, reducing the need for in-person visits. The GMC has published guidance on remote con- sultations, and the CQC regulates telehealth/tel- emedicine service providers in England for the regulated activity of providing triage and medical advice remotely. Chronic Disease Management mHealth apps help patients and clinicians moni- tor and manage chronic conditions such as dia- betes, hypertension and mental health disorders. These apps can track symptoms and medica- tion adherence, offer access to information or tools, and provide reminders for appointments or medication. Healthcare Data Collection The increased use of mHealth apps, including through wearables, has spurred the ability to col- lect so-called “real-world data” to gain insight into the use and performance of medicines in everyday clinical settings, as a complement to clinical trial data. Patient Engagement Apps allow patients to access their health records, book appointments, receive reminders and communicate with healthcare providers. Personal health record apps enable patients to store and manage their own medical data. Remote Monitoring Wearables and connected devices enable con- tinuous monitoring of vital signs and other health metrics, with data being shared with clinicians for proactive intervention – for example, blood glucose meters, heart rate monitors and sleep trackers.
Women’s Health Apps for tracking fertility, pregnancy, menstrua- tion and other women’s health concerns allow patients to have more control over their own health, and can help to flag issues that patients should check with their medical practitioners. 1.3 Benefits of Digital Healthcare Digital healthcare brings several advantages, including the following. Improved Access and Convenience Patients can access healthcare services remotely and on-demand, reducing travel and wait times. This is particularly beneficial for those in remote or underserved areas, and for taking pressure off Digital tools empower patients to manage their health, access information and communicate with providers more easily. Patients can book appointments, access their health records, and receive reminders through apps. Better Clinical Outcomes hospital services out-of-hours. Enhanced Patient Experience Real-time data from remote monitoring and decision support tools can lead to earlier inter- ventions and more personalised care. The use of real-world data collected through mHealth apps and wearables provides long-term, holistic data on the efficacy and safety of therapeutic inter- ventions in real-world settings, complementing clinical trial data. Data-Driven Insights The increased understanding of treatment effi- cacy and patient outcomes, gained through collection of real-world data, supports decision- making regarding product life cycle benefit-risk evaluation and pharmacovigilance.
122 CHAMBERS.COM
Powered by FlippingBook