Desenvolvimento de um sistema de monitorização remota de pacientes com hipertensão utilizando tecnologias vestíveis

Abstract

The technological advancements in the healthcare sector have revolutionized healthcare delivery, aiming to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and personalization. A pivotal innovation is remote patient monitoring, which goes beyond traditional facilities through wearable devices. Wearable devices like smartwatches and bracelets represent the forefront in remote patient monitoring, enabling a comprehensive real-time view of health, offering significant benefits for both patients and healthcare professionals. This study stems from an in-depth understanding of the current situation of patients with hypertension, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative solutions in continuously monitoring this condition. The analysis revealed that the absence of an effective monitoring system can have significant implications in managing hypertension, including lack of timely intervention, worsening conditions, and negative impacts on quality of life. The work was based on a literature review of monitoring models dealing with similar experiences and a questionnaire aimed at ICOR staff to understand the challenges encountered in monitoring hypertension patients. Presently, blood pressure measurements are taken by doctors at ICOR for physically present patients, while those not at ICOR are advised to measure it at home. This information is stored in paper-based clinical records, and communication between the patient and the doctor occurs via telephone or the social messaging platform WhatsApp. This study culminated in the proposal of an IT system for continuous monitoring of hypertension patients within the ICOR context. Through literature review and needs assessment among healthcare professionals, the feasibility and importance of a system enabling remote monitoring of these patients were identified, bringing greater efficiency to the process and allowing more timely intervention.