Can Remote Patient Management Improve Outcomes in Peritoneal Dialysis?

Abstract

Remote patient management (RPM) for patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an emerging technology whereby a patients' biometric information (including weight, blood pressure, and other parameters) can be remotely monitored by providers along with important PD treatment information. As part of an evolving field of telemedicine, RPM has the potential to improve clinical outcomes for patients receiving PD, reduce resource utilization, and improve PD uptake, and positively impact a patients' experience with PD. Preliminary reports of RPM are encouraging, however, research in the field is limited to small, single center studies, and remains largely observational; interventions have been heterogenous in terms of what clinical and treatment parameters are being remotely monitored and what outcomes are under evaluation. In the present review, we will describe the evolving field of RPM in PD, discuss potential benefits of the technology while highlighting existing and important future areas for research.