Sensor-based monitoring for enhancing patient care in a developing country in South-East Europe

Background and aim: In recent years, the number of patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses has increased, especially in developing countries. The continuous and remote monitoring of chronic parameters is considered to improve patient care and provide information for the early diagnosis, treatment, and management of these long-term conditions. In this regard, this research investigated the adoption and acceptance of sensor-based platforms for remote and continuous monitoring of chronically ill patients. The aim was to address the lack of knowledge on the implementation and application of sensor-based platforms among healthcare professionals (HCP) in Kosovo, a developing country in South-East Europe (SEE).

Methods: A qualitative research method was used, in which HCPs from a private hospital were interviewed in Kosovo. Two semi-structured in-depth interview studies were developed based on technology acceptance variables. Hence, the first interview study investigated the adoption and acceptance of sensor-based platforms for remote and continuous patient monitoring among HCPs. Findings from this interview study enabled the design and proposal of a sensor-based prototype which was evaluated during the second interview study to elaborate the HCPs’ experiences and feedback with the functionalities that provided real-time and distance-based monitoring of vital signs and communication with their patients.

Findings: The first interview study with HCPs provided a detailed understanding of their current practices with digital monitoring systems and suggested aspects on the needs for real-time and continuous monitoring. Truth-telling emerged as a new technology acceptance variable from this study: this was considered important to investigate when designing and implementing digital technologies for healthcare that include the patient’s access. This interview study provided also recommendations for designing and implementing the proposed sensor-based prototype, SBNHealth. The evaluation interview study revealed more specific details towards the successful implementation of sensor-based platforms in this developing country, Kosovo. Hence, the findings suggested that there should be a managerial willingness from the healthcare institutions and a close collaboration between the monitoring medical staff and the patient to enable accurate and safe communication that will lead to improved healthcare services and patient wellbeing.

Conclusions: This research contributed to a set of measures and interventions proposed for future designers and implementers (i.e., industry), users (healthcare professionals and patients), and managers and policymakers (i.e., government, healthcare institutions), from the healthcare practices and needs of Kosovo, concerning successful implementation and application of sensor-based platforms. Building upon technology acceptance theories, to understand the adoption and acceptance of digital platforms, this study has implications on the practices of HCPs (improved and digitalized healthcare services), patient care (continuous and real-time monitoring), healthcare centres (manage better the increased number of chronically ill patients, lower rates of hospitalization, fewer resources in use) and, in this way, also on the healthcare system of a developing country (enhanced life expectancy). Further to these, is also the scientific contribution by providing two investigations with unique field results on a research area where there is limited information.