RPM, also known as remote patient monitoring, is a telehealth delivery system. The latest advances in information technology make it possible to collect patient data outside of traditional healthcare settings like hospitals and clinics.

The most common signs and symptoms of mental disorders are sadness, confusion or lack of concentration, excessive fears and worries, extreme feelings of guilt, and withdrawal from family and friends. Sometimes fatigue, delusions or hallucinations, significant changes in eating habits, anger or violence, suicidal thoughts, and even physical discomfort, such as stomach pain, back pain, headaches, or other unexplained symptoms occur.

Remote Patient Monitoring can detect and track many of these signs and symptoms. A patient's physiological data is measured using sensors and wearable devices. A cloud database is then used to store these data which providers can access from anywhere. With RPM, providers can continuously monitor and adjust their patients' treatment plans remotely.

In this article, Remote patient monitoring devices can track some signs and symptoms of mental illness.

Telehealth services for mental health:

  • Video sessions online
  • Chat therapy at a time convenient for the patient
  • Analyzing objective device data
  • Using a variety of tools to increase engagement
  • Insights into data

Smart Scale

A change in eating habits is one of the above-stated signs and symptoms. Depression is often associated with weight loss and weight gain.

Depression often results in people losing weight because they are unable to eat. It is often due to the fact that they do not enjoy eating, so they are less motivated to do so.

It is possible to track significant weight loss or gain using a connected smart scale. Any substantial change in the patient's weight will alert the provider. Providers can then take necessary measures, such as modifying the patient's environment and treatment plan or preventing unnecessary hospitalizations.

Heart Rate Monitor

Anxiety, depression, and excessive fear may affect patients' heart rates. Health care providers can determine whether their patients are suffering from anxiety, depression, stress, or post-traumatic stress disorder by using a connected heart rate monitor. Providers adjust a patient's treatment plan based on the collected data.

Motion Tracker

Psychomotor agitation and retardation can be caused by mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.

Anxiety and depression are common causes of psychomotor agitation. In addition, increased motor activities in psychomotor agitation accompany an agitated state.

Motion trackers are used to monitoring psychomotor agitation or retardation. If a patient's activity changes significantly, healthcare providers can be notified.

Sleep Tracker

It is estimated that around 50% of insomnia cases are caused by sadness, worry, or psychological stress. Symptoms of depression include early morning wakefulness, low energy, inability to concentrate, sadness, and changes in appetite.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is usually associated with sleep deprivation. An episode of panic during sleep may indicate a panic disorder. PTSD may be linked to sleep deprivation caused by nightmares.

Thanks to the RPM sleep tracker, providers can be alerted if their patients are experiencing sleep problems.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A significant component of the nervous system is the brain. Therefore, it stands to reason that stress and mental health problems are associated with decreased Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Providers can be alerted when patients have low HRV using connected ECG.

Thermometer

Psychogenic fever is a stress-related, psychosomatic disease. Providers can monitor their patients' changes in body temperature, which may indicate an impending mental illness episode, with a remotely monitored thermometer.

Conclusion

Ordinary people may not exhibit these signs and symptoms of mental illness. However, when it comes to individuals with mental issues, these can be essential indications that an episode of mental illness may occur or is ongoing. It is possible to save medical expenses if mental illness is detected early. The right type of care can sometimes keep mentally ill patients. Remote patient monitoring solution does not apply to all psychiatric patients and disorders, but it can help with remote monitoring and prevent severe episodes of mental illness. RPM for mental health is still very young and will improve in the coming years.

In addition to mental disorders, kidney diseases, and organ transplants, remote patient monitoring can also be used to monitor and manage some other medical conditions. SmartClinix is the best place to avail top-notch RPM solutions.

At SmartClinix , we offer specialty-based remote patient monitoring programs with enhanced health outcomes and augmented revenue without any upfront fees. Take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity by visiting SmartClinix.