Patient-driven Health Care Models: The Future Patient using Self-tracking Technologies

Purpose: The aim of this study has been to identify new models of care that emerge when cardiac patients/citizens use self-tracking technologies for telerehabilitation. Context: There is a growing phenomenon of self-quantification, defined as patients who observe and monitor their health conditions for various reasons (e.g., chronic diseases, wellness, etc). Patients have rapidly adopted the new self-tracking technologies, and patient-driven health care systems are gradually emerging. Health care professionals need to integrate this trend in their design of new services in the future healthcare organization [1]. In the Teledi@log project [2], a telerehabilitation programme for heart patients with self-tracking technologies has been developed and tested in a randomized controlled trial (n=151) during 2012-2014. In the cardiac telerehabilitation programme, three models of care were developed and tested: call center, healthcare center and hospitals in two municipalities. At home, the patients measured their own blood pressure, pulse, weight and steps, and the data was transmitted to a digital platform where the data could be accessed by patients, relatives and healthcare professionals. The platform also offered patients additional video content, information about rehabilitation and a forum for communication with peer collaborators. Methods: Through a user-driven process (workshops with patients, relatives, healthcare professionals, researchers and representatives from companies), new models of care for telerehabilitation of cardiac patients have been developed and tested. Semi-structured interviews with cardiac patients (n=19) and healthcare professionals ( n= 15) were carried out. A systematic review of the literature on new models of care based upon self-tracking technologies has been performed. Data have been analyzed using the software program NVivo 10.