Telehealth companies expand complex care with remote health monitoring systems

Over the past decade, remote patient monitoring and telehealth have grown from a small service to a common healthcare choice. It started with easy treatments like birth control, erectile dysfunction, and hair loss. Now, telehealth companies are moving into more complicated areas like mental health and managing long-term illnesses. Along with this change, these companies have boosted their ad spending a lot, aiming to reach more people by focusing on ease of use and availability.

How does remote patient monitoring work

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) involves using digital technologies to collect medical and health data from individuals in one location and electronically transmit that information securely to healthcare providers in another location.

This process allows physicians to track patients’ health data in real-time, enabling proactive interventions and reducing the need for frequent in-person visits. RPM uses various devices, such as wearables, sensors, and mobile apps, to measure key health indicators like blood pressure, glucose levels, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. By continuously monitoring patients’ conditions, RPM helps improve treatment outcomes, enhances chronic disease management, and increases access to healthcare services for those in remote or underserved areas.

Growth and controversy of telehealth ads

In 2023, thirteen telehealth companies spent over $111 million on TV ads, more than twice as much as they did in 2019. This big increase shows not just the growth in healthcare but also their new approach—presenting telehealth as a real option for health issues that used to need in-person doctor visits. Popular endorsements and online ad campaigns have helped this growth, with companies using celebrities and social media influencers to gain trust.

Ro, a telemonitoring in healthcare company offering help for erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and weight control, showed how digital ads can take advantage of viral moments. When Shannon Sharpe, a former NFL player, accidentally shared intimate acts online, Ro quickly pushed its campaign for erectile dysfunction meds to get more attention. These bold ad methods show the bigger trend among telehealth companies: using direct ads to make remote healthcare more normal.

As telehealth ads show up more often—on podcasts, streaming services, and regular TV—questions come up about how well they handle tough medical issues. While the industry highlights ease and privacy, experts warn that online consultations might not be enough for issues needing ongoing, personalized care.

Shift toward more complex medical services

Initially, telehealth services focused on conditions that required minimal medical oversight, such as dermatological treatments or contraceptive prescriptions. However, in an effort to expand their market, many providers are now venturing into mental health, obesity management, and other fields that necessitate continuous care.

This shift presents both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, remote monitoring of patients can improve access to care for individuals in underserved areas, where medical professionals may be scarce. This is particularly relevant in states with limited healthcare resources, where patients might otherwise struggle to obtain necessary prescriptions or therapeutic support.

On the other hand, critics argue that using remote patient monitoring platforms—centered around brief virtual consultations—may not provide the level of care required for complex medical conditions. Mental health treatment, for example, often involves ongoing therapy, medication adjustments, and patient monitoring. Research suggests that psychiatric medications are most effective when combined with counseling, a component that many telehealth services do not adequately provide.

A study led by Dr. Ateev Mehrotra of Brown University highlights a key concern: telehealth companies often encourage patients to self-diagnose before being connected to a physician who simply verifies their request and prescribes medication. This approach contrasts sharply with traditional medical practice, where doctors assess symptoms and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

For some conditions, such as birth control prescriptions, this model can be efficient and effective. However, when applied to psychiatric care or obesity management, it may fall short. Patients requiring long-term oversight may find remote patient monitoring services lacking in follow-up care, leading to delays in treatment adjustments or unresolved side effects.

Harley Diamond, a patient who initially turned to the telehealth provider Nurx for birth control, later sought mental health treatment through the platform. While the company’s digital tools allowed for frequent symptom tracking, she found the experience impersonal. Each consultation involved a new doctor, requiring her to repeatedly explain her medical history. When she raised concerns about antidepressant side effects, her messages often went unanswered for days, with no clear resolution.

This inconsistency in provider engagement raises concerns about patient safety and treatment efficacy, particularly for individuals managing chronic conditions or mental health disorders. Without a stable doctor-patient relationship, some users feel disconnected from their own healthcare, questioning the long-term viability of telehealth as a substitute for in-person medical visits.

Addressing the gaps

To fill these gaps, telehealth companies are increasingly using remote patient monitoring (RPM)—a technology that allows continuous health tracking through devices and smart apps. RPM can make telehealth more effective in managing complex conditions by giving doctors real-time health data for better intervention.

By adding RPM to their services, telehealth providers can offer more than just quick virtual visits; they can provide long-term care, which is key in managing chronic diseases. Remote patient monitoring devices track things like vital signs and medication adherence, helping doctors make more informed choices instead of just relying on what patients share verbally.

For example, in managing obesity, RPM monitoring can track a patient’s activity, heart rate, and eating habits, giving healthcare providers useful insights. This allows for personalized treatment changes, instead of generalized prescriptions often given through standard telehealth.

Likewise, for mental health patients, RPM telehealth tools can pick up on sleep pattern issues, heart rate changes, and medication habits, alerting providers to potential problems early. This data-driven care can help address critiques of telehealth, improving outcomes while keeping its main benefit—convenience.

Yet, while RPM seems like a great solution, it requires telehealth companies to change their business models. Instead of focusing on brief consultations and prescriptions, they need to build systems that support ongoing monitoring. This change might mean higher initial costs but could also improve trust and keep customers coming back.

Enhancing access, challenging connection

Telehealth services are changing the way doctors and patients talk to each other. It’s more accessible and convenient, but there are worries about losing the personal touch that in-person visits have.

A survey by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 2021 found that 85% of doctors were using telehealth for their patients, and nearly 70% wanted to keep using it. This shows that telehealth is popular and valued by many doctors.

But while telehealth is convenient, there’s concern about its effect on doctor-patient relationships. A report in BMC Primary Care points out that home telehealth monitoring increases access to healthcare but might make it harder to build trust and interaction. It’s important to develop telehealth in a way that supports good connections.

A remote patient monitoring software brings big benefits for accessibility and consistent care, and many doctors support its use. However, making sure virtual care maintains personal connection and trust will be crucial as these services grow.

Balancing growth and care

As telehealth companies grow, they are facing more rules and regulations. Lawmakers are worried about honest advertising, patient safety, and keeping providers accountable.

Last year, a bill aimed to control how telehealth is marketed, to stop companies from misleading patients about the level of care offered. Although it didn’t pass, Senator Dick Durbin plans to try again, showing ongoing concerns about service marketing.

One major issue is the idea that telehealth can completely replace traditional healthcare. While it offers great access, critics say ads often make it seem too perfect, ignoring problems like lack of follow-up care and less personal contact.