Active remote monitoring of long-term conditions with mobile devices: a systematic review of cost-effectiveness analyses

TL;DR

This paper reviews studies on using mobile devices for remote health monitoring and finds it is often cost-effective for managing long-term conditions.

Contribution

The study systematically reviews cost-effectiveness of mobile-based monitoring for long-term conditions, highlighting its potential for healthcare resource allocation.

Findings

Mobile device-based monitoring was found cost-effective in six out of seven studies reviewed.

Interventions included early intervention, self-management, and patient-initiated care.

Cost estimation methods varied, including top-down costing and bottom-up micro-costing.

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and appraise published cost-effectiveness analyses of mobile device-based active remote monitoring technologies for long-term conditions. A systematic literature review (PROSPERO: CRD42023406364) identified studies from Medline and Embase (2008 until November 2024). Interventions required frequent patient-reported responses to questions about their condition on a mobile device (smartphone or tablet). Seven cost-effectiveness analyses were identified for six long-term conditions: rheumatoid arthritis; schizophrenia; older adults with complex conditions; cancer; multiple sclerosis; inflammatory bowel disease. Interventions facilitated early intervention to prevent condition worsening (n = 4); self-management (n = 2); and patient-initiated care (n = 1). Intervention costs were estimated by top-down costing (n = 2); bottom-up micro-costing (n = 3) and assumptions (n = 2). Mobile device-based active remote monitoring was cost-effective in six of the seven studies with a high degree of decision uncertainty. The results will help decision-makers, intervention developers and analysts to guide resource allocation, product development and study designs for future mobile device-based monitoring interventions, respectively.

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