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Boston and Seattle, April 8, 2008 — The Center for Connected Health, a division of Partners HealthCare, one of the nation's leading integrated health care delivery systems, is presenting data from 11 new research studies conducted at Partners-affiliated hospitals, including Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women's Hospitals, reporting patient perceptions of connected health technologies. These study findings, presented at the 13th annual American Telemedicine Association (ATA) annual conference, include new perspectives on how patients are feeling empowered to better manage their care, increased satisfaction and improvements in their overall health.

"Through a number of ongoing programs, we are finding more evidence demonstrating the benefits of connected health for patients, healthcare providers, employers and payers, as well as for the person who simply wants to stay healthy," said Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, founder and director, Center for Connected Health, and a past president of the ATA. "We are hearing repeatedly how connected health technologies are empowering patients to take a more active role in managing their health, and helping doctors and nurses provide more timely interventions and information to improve patients' overall quality of life."

Remote Monitoring Empowers Patients, Supports Healthcare Providers Trends in healthcare are driving the need for increased interactive communication, between doctor and patient, and back. Patients are demanding more information and are taking a more active role in their health. By enabling patients to collect and transmit personal health data to their healthcare providers, and for healthcare providers to better monitor their patients and provide intervention in real-time, remote monitoring is proving to be a valuable tool in delivering quality care and enabling patients to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Growing evidence is demonstrating the potential of telemonitoring. For example, the Center for Connected Health presented data from a study of non-homebound heart failure patients participating in the Connected Cardiac Care program. Participants were given home telemonitoring equipment to transmit daily vital signs and symptom reports to a telemonitoring nurse. Initial feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of patients reporting that the program has improved their overall health and helped them stay out of the hospital.

In another example, a focus group of diabetes patients, conducted by the Center for Connected Health, suggested that these patients value remote monitoring in empowering them to better manage their diabetes through education and increased communication with care providers. Participants reported that blood sugar monitoring was most valuable when newly diagnosed, or for patients trying to regain control of their diabetes. Electronic communication between providers and patients outside of scheduled office visits was perceived as important in improving diabetes management.