16-54: Heart failure patient wishes regarding future improvements in cardiac implantable device remote monitoring

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the patient wishes in Remote Monitoring (RM) feedbacks from their cardiac implantable device. In particular the study aimed to highlight patient expectations to receive direct information about device functions, control the own clinical status and tips on lifestyle on their smartphone. Method(s): A questionnaire entitled, "Wishes for future improvements of RM", was prepared and submitted to patients attending the Device Follow up clinic in Piacenza Hospital using RM. The questionnaire is composed of three items, with 5 to7 questions each, scored using a five-point Likert scale. First item concerns the possibility to receive datas about implantable device function (electrical integrity, battery status, ecc. .); second item regards the possibility to collect information on the clinical status; third item is related to healhty lifestyle promotion. The external and internal reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha test. Questionnaire responses were cross-checked with a set of demographic variables (age, gender, education, family structure and distance from the hospital) and analyzed using multiple regression model. Result(s): A total of one hundred twenty patients filled the questionnaire. Mean time with ICD was 34 + 18 months and mean age was 69 + 14 years; 73% was male. Diagnosis related to ICD implant was: ischemic heart disease in 51% and dilated cardiomyopathy in 31%. Mean time on remote FU was 22.4 +5.9 months. The content validity index of the questionnaire is 94.2%. The external and internal reliability scores are respectively 0.812 and 0.823. The mean scores of the three subgroups of the questionnaire are respectively 84.6%, 59.0% and 29.2%. The majority wished to receive device information on their smartphone, i.e. data concerning device efficiency (96%) and battery status (92%). Information on clinical status and arrhythmias episodes was considered less important (54%). Finally the lowest interst was expressed towards healhty lifestyle information (23%). The level of education and the presence of structured family were factors associated with an increased information wishes Conclusion(s): Patients with heart failure were very interested in receiving information about their device function and efficiency but less interested on clinical status, and poorly interested on clinical remind on healthy lifestyle. Patients with higher education and structured family were more involved in this future RM improvements.