Glossary Term
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring
Definition
Remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) refers to the use of technology to collect and monitor non-physiological, self-reported data related to a patient's treatment, therapy response, and adherence to medication or lifestyle interventions. RTM typically involves tracking factors such as medication usage, therapy progress, musculoskeletal health, or respiratory conditions. Unlike remote patient monitoring (RPM), which collects physiological data (e.g., vital signs), RTM focuses on monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and patient adherence to treatment plans.
Relevance to the MedTech Industry
The goal of RTM is to enable healthcare providers to monitor and adjust a patient’s therapy remotely, based on real-time data about the patient’s adherence to prescribed treatments or responses to therapy. RTM helps improve patient outcomes by ensuring that therapeutic interventions are followed, and that any issues, such as medication non-adherence or lack of improvement in symptoms, are identified and addressed promptly. RTM also offers the benefit of expanding access to care for patients with chronic conditions or those undergoing ongoing therapies, by reducing the need for frequent in-person visits.
Additional Information & Related Terms
Key Components of Remote Therapeutic Monitoring
Self-Reported Data Collection:
RTM collects non-physiological data, such as patient-reported outcomes, adherence to prescribed medication or exercises, and therapy effectiveness. This data can be submitted directly by patients using digital platforms or connected devices.
Example: A mobile app for managing asthma allows patients to input daily medication usage and self-reported symptoms, which are monitored remotely by their healthcare provider.
Monitoring of Therapy Response and Adherence:
RTM focuses on tracking a patient’s response to treatment and adherence to therapy protocols, rather than physiological measures like heart rate or blood pressure. Devices and platforms collect data on a patient’s behavior and therapy progress.
Example: A wearable device used to monitor physical therapy for knee rehabilitation tracks how well a patient is following their prescribed exercise routine and whether they’re showing improvements in mobility.
Devices and FDA Requirements:
Like RPM, RTM requires FDA-approved medical devices to collect data. The devices must meet regulatory standards for data accuracy and safety to ensure they can be used in remote care settings.
Example: A smart inhaler used in RTM to track medication usage and adherence is FDA-approved and provides data that healthcare providers can use to adjust treatment plans.
Data Transmission and Communication:
The data collected from RTM devices is transmitted to healthcare providers for analysis, allowing for remote communication with patients and adjustments to their treatment plans based on real-time data. This can include feedback to patients, reminders for adherence, or changes to therapy regimens.
Billing and Reimbursement Compliance:
RTM devices and services are reimbursed under specific billing codes, and the frequency of services and supervision by healthcare providers are subject to strict guidelines. This includes ensuring that the data collected meets minimum thresholds, such as at least 16 days of data collection per month.
Related Terms
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM): A similar remote care model to RTM that focuses on monitoring physiological data, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels.
Telemedicine: Remote care that involves live, virtual consultations between patients and healthcare providers, which can complement RTM systems for ongoing therapy management.
FDA-Approved Medical Device: A device that meets FDA standards for safety, efficacy, and quality, necessary for both RTM and RPM systems.
CPT Codes: The billing codes that healthcare providers use for reimbursement, which differ for RPM and RTM services.
Chronic Disease Management: The ongoing monitoring and management of chronic conditions, which can be supported by RTM technologies for medication adherence and therapy monitoring.