Patient-initiated cardiovascular monitoring with commercially available devices: How useful is it in a cardiology outpatient setting? Mixed methods, observational study

Background: The availability, affordability and utilisation of commercially available self-monitoring devices is increasing, but their impact on routine clinical decision-making remains little explored. We sought to examine how patient-generated cardiovascular data influenced clinical evaluation in UK cardiology outpatient clinics and to understand clinical attitudes and experiences with using data from commercially available self-monitoring devices. Methods: Mixed methods study combining: a) quantitative and qualitative content analysis of 1373 community cardiology clinic letters, recording consultations between January–September 2020 including periods with different Covid-19 related restrictions, and b) semi-structured qualitative interviews and group discussions with 20 cardiology-affiliated clinicians at the same NHS Trust. Results: Patient-generated cardiovascular data were described in 185/1373 (13.5%) clinic letters overall, with the proportion doubling following onset of the first Covid-19 lockdown in England, from 8.3% to 16.6% (p < 0.001). In 127/185 (69%) cases self-monitored data were found to: provide or facilitate cardiac diagnoses (34/127); assist management of previously diagnosed cardiac conditions (55/127); be deployed for cardiovascular prevention (16/127); or be recommended for heart rhythm evaluation (10/127). In 58/185 (31%) cases clinicians did not put the self-monitored data to any evident use and in 12/185 (6.5%) cases patient-generated data prompted an unnecessary referral. In interviews and discussions, clinicians expressed mixed views on patient-generated data but foresaw a need to embrace and plan for this information flow, and proactively address challenges with integration into traditional care pathways. Conclusions: This study suggests patient-generated data are being used for clinical decision-making in ad hoc and opportunistic ways. Given shifts towards remote monitoring in clinical care, accelerated by the pandemic, there is a need to consider how best to incorporate patient-generated data in clinical processes, introduce relevant training, pathways and governance frameworks, and manage associated risks.