Virtual monitoring in CF - the importance of continuous monitoring in a multi-organ chronic condition

Tamara Vagg; Kevin F Deasy; Wendy W Chapman; Sarath C Ranganathan; Barry J Plant; Shivanthan Shanthikumar

doi:10.3389/fdgth.2023.1196442

Virtual monitoring in CF - the importance of continuous monitoring in a multi-organ chronic condition

Front Digit Health. 2023 May 4:5:1196442. doi: 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1196442. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Tamara Vagg^{1

2

3}, Kevin F Deasy^{1

2

3}, Wendy W Chapman⁴, Sarath C Ranganathan^{5

6

7}, Barry J Plant^{1

2

3}, Shivanthan Shanthikumar^{5

6

7}

Affiliations

¹ Cork Centre for Cystic Fibrosis (3CF), Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
² HRB Clinical Research Facility Cork, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
³ Department of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
⁴ The Centre for Digital Transformation of Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁵ Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Department, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁶ Respiratory Diseases Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁷ Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Abstract

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a chronic life-limiting condition that affects multiple organs within the body. Patients must adhere to strict medication regimens, physiotherapy, diet, and attend regular clinic appointments to manage their condition effectively. This necessary but burdensome requirement has prompted investigations into how different digital health technologies can enhance current care by providing the opportunity to virtually monitor patients. This review explores how virtual monitoring has been harnessed for assessment or performance of physiotherapy/exercise, diet/nutrition, symptom monitoring, medication adherence, and wellbeing/mental-health in people with CF. This review will also briefly discuss the potential future of CF virtual monitoring and some common barriers to its current adoption and implementation within CF. Due to the multifaceted nature of CF, it is anticipated that this review will be relevant to not only the CF community, but also those investigating and developing digital health solutions for the management of other chronic diseases.

Keywords: chronic condition; cystic fibrosis; remote monitoring; review; virtual monitoring.

Publication types

Review