Coordination of a remote mHealth infrastructure for atrial fibrillation management during COVID-19 and beyond: TeleCheck-AF

Rachel M. J. van der Velden, Astrid N. L. Hermans, Nikki A. H. A. Pluymaekers, Monica Gawalko, Bianca Vorstermans, Herm Martens, Saskia Buskes, Harry J. G. M. Crijns, Dominik Linz, Jeroen M. Hendriks*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalEditorialAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

During the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, outpatient visits for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), were converted into teleconsultations. As a response to this, a novel mobile health (mHealth) intervention was developed to support these teleconsultations with AF patients: TeleCheck-AF. This approach incorporates three fundamental components: 1) "Tele": A structured teleconsultation. 2) "Check": An app-based on-demand heart rate and rhythm monitoring infrastructure. 3) "AF": comprehensive AF management.

This report highlights the significant importance of coordination of the TeleCheck-AF approach at multiple levels and underlines the importance of streamlining care processes provided by a multidisciplinary team, using an mHealth intervention, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, this report reflects on how the TeleCheck-AF approach has contributed to strengthening the health system in maintaining management of this prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmia, whilst keeping patients out of hospital, during the pandemic and beyond.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2053434520954619
Pages (from-to)65-70
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal of Care Coordination
Volume23
Issue number2-3
Early online date27 Aug 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2020

Keywords

  • Atrial fibrillation
  • mHealth
  • care pathways
  • coordination
  • multidisciplinary teamwork
  • infrastructure
  • CARE

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