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Abstract

Connected mobile-Health (CmH) is an innovative healthcare model where clinicians use a shared mobile device application (app) and supportive technology to monitor and deliver care remotely. PURPOSE: This investigation pilot tested the feasibility of integrating a CmH communication platform into a preventive cardiology practice within a large integrated healthcare system. METHODS: A 6-month retrospective chart review of electronic medical records was conducted to identify the adoption of CmH in a self-selected group of patients after receiving a 1-hour in-person consultation from a graduate-level Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP). Exercise counseling included a short-term progressive home exercise prescription with instruction on how to activate and use an institution-approved CmH app. This included the option to independently track home exercise on a smartphone and receive clinician feedback through the shared account. A two-minute instructional tutorial video was sent to the patient at home to support the activation of the app. RESULTS: Three hundred and one patients completed the consultation from 13 inter-departmental referral sources, with the majority submitted by cardiology (n=110; 37%) and a presurgery bariatric program (n=76; 25%). The mean age was 52.4 years old (SD=14.9) and there were 182 females (60%). A total of 132 patients (44%) successfully activated CmH. The app was used to track home exercise (n=85; 64%) and heart rate response (n=53; 40%) and record personal feedback (n=72; 55%). Forty-four patients (33%) continued to use CmH for at least 6-weeks and 35 patients (27%) returned to the clinic for a 6-week onsite follow-up consultation. CONCLUSION: It was feasible for patients to remotely activate CmH to stay connected with the CEP after receiving an exercise consultation. Assisting patients with the activation process during the onsite consultation is a potential quality improvement strategy to remove a barrier to patient engagement.

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