Telemedicine in Adult Congenital Heart Disease: Usefulness of Digital Health Technology in the Assistance of Critical Patients

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 May 10;20(10):5775. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20105775.

Abstract

The number of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) has progressively increased in recent years to surpass that of children. This population growth has produced a new demand for health care. Moreover, the 2019 coronavirus pandemic has caused significant changes and has underlined the need for an overhaul of healthcare delivery. As a result, telemedicine has emerged as a new strategy to support a patient-based model of specialist care. In this review, we would like to highlight the background knowledge and offer an integrated care strategy for the longitudinal assistance of ACHD patients. In particular, the emphasis is on recognizing these patients as a special population with special requirements in order to deliver effective digital healthcare.

Keywords: adult congenital heart disease; digital health; telemedicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Coronavirus Infections* / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections* / therapy
  • Coronavirus*
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Heart Defects, Congenital* / epidemiology
  • Heart Defects, Congenital* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Telemedicine*

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.