A structured onboarding process helps patients and providers use remote patient monitoring (RPM) technologies confidently. It can lead to stronger engagement, a smoother transition to new care platforms, and better health outcomes.
This article outlines best practices for onboarding remote monitoring systems for patients and providers. It covers how to create valuable educational resources, encourage patient participation, and train care teams effectively. Dedicated onboarding protocols with clear guidance can help healthcare systems drive lasting use across episodic and chronic care.
Strategies for Effective Onboarding of Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote physiological technology allows healthcare providers to gather and analyze patient health data without in-person visits. While RPM is not new, it continues to grow as research highlights its potential to improve patient outcomes. With vital signs collected at least 16 days per month, RPM gives physicians a steady stream of data insights to optimize treatment plans.
Patient engagement is key to the success of RPM programs. When patients are actively involved, RPM helps improve medication adherence and overall treatment compliance. Ensuring patients understand how to use their RPM devices is critical to achieving these results.
Effective onboarding for patients and care teams should focus on:
- A simple, clear enrollment process
- Easy-to-understand educational materials
- Practical training programs for healthcare staff
- FDA-cleared devices that are intuitive to use
- Reliable, HIPAA-compliant technical support
- Guidance on interpreting normal vs. concerning readings
- Ongoing communication with all stakeholders
1) Patient Onboarding: Enrollment Process
The first step in onboarding is patient opt-in. RPM services must be initiated during an in-person visit if more than one year has passed since the patient’s last appointment, or if the patient is new to the practice. Explain which remote patient monitoring telehealth devices patients will use and how RPM can help them achieve their health goals.
Patients must use their devices at least 16 days per month to qualify for Medicare reimbursement. Providers can set alert thresholds in the portal to flag concerning readings automatically.
2) Patient Onboarding: Medical Devices
Next, physicians must order an FDA-cleared device for each patient. Common RPM devices include:
- Wireless scales
- Blood pressure monitors
- Blood glucose meters
- Pulse oximeters
- Peak flow meters
- Thermometers
RPM devices can vary in quality, features, and price. Companies receive FDA clearance when the FDA agrees that the device is substantially equivalent or similar to another FDA-cleared product. It is important to note that FDA-registered does not mean FDA-cleared. FDA registration is not the same as FDA clearance.
Some devices today use cellular or Bluetooth technologies with no app or syncing required. This makes it easy for the patient. For example, Tenovi devices connect automatically through a Cellular Gateway, making setup easier for patients.
3) Effective Onboarding for Patients
Once a device is connected, data is collected and securely transmitted to the healthcare provider in real time. This gives physicians immediate access to assess a patient’s condition for quicker interventions when needed. An important part of effective onboarding patients is understanding what can improve the onboarding process for patients.
It is important to create an environment where team members feel comfortable speaking up, offering ideas, and questioning existing processes without fear of blame or retaliation. This concept is known as psychological safety in healthcare. When staff feel safe to share suggestions, it leads to more efficient workflows, fewer errors, and better patient care.
Psychological safety can be achieved by actively inviting feedback from employees on ways to improve how RPM devices are introduced and supported. For example, staff may suggest clearer written instructions for patients, new formats for educational materials, or improved support processes. Encouraging open communication and valuing insights can strengthen operational efficiency and ultimately patient outcomes.
4) Medical Team Onboarding in Remote Patient Monitoring
With RPM outsourcing, some third-party companies provide resources for staff training. Consider partnering with a vendor that offers training and onboarding for remote patient monitoring. Remain open to feedback and address relevant input from your end users. It will help to optimize workflows further and build a successful RPM program.
Medical staff members will want to use best practices in remote patient monitoring for operating devices, portals, and troubleshooting. A well-rounded understanding of RPM enhances a care teams ability to maintain clinical workflow and support patients.
5) Onboarding With Customer Support
A positive customer support experience to resolve a technical issue with a device sets the stage for patient satisfaction. RPM device companies like Tenovi offer customer support services to help patients when rare technical issues arise. In addition, HIPAA-compliant RPM technical support is vital.
RPM device companies with customer support teams can walk patients through operating their RPM device. They can direct patients and providers to resources such as frequently asked questions and reference mateirals for ongoing patient support on devices. Providers may also use the Tenovi RPM Dashboard if needed or they can transmit patient data to their remote patient monitoring platform with and API. Providers also have access to software client technical support.
6) Understanding Readings: Remote Patient Monitoring Onboarding
Remote patient monitoring RPM is not a substitute for in-office appointments, but it does encourage patients to manage their health. As a result, research shows that RPM has high patient adherence and satisfaction rates with lower emergency department visits.
Patients may have questions about their vital sign readings between appointments. It is helpful for patients to understand what normal reading is for them vs. concerning reading. A recent study showed the importance of ensuring that patients can also correctly interpret the data. Understanding patient-generated health data can help with a patient’s motivation to continue collecting data. Changing patient roles from passive participants to active players in RPM require patients to understand their vital sign data.
Be sure to inform patients what readings will be received and what will be done with the vital sign reading. A staff member or the RPM device company can assure your patient that their information is being correctly from the device.
7) Onboarding & Continued Stakeholder Communication
Remote patient monitoring can improve patient outcomes with earlier clinical intervention. Therefore, it is essential to generate data that validates the program’s value to the organization. Early on, communicating and demonstrating examples of success can help expand an RPM program. Recent research shows that standardization and leadership buy-in allowed for a more efficient and scalable program to continue offering services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Therefore, as virtual care becomes a patient expectation, a solid strategy for communicating with stakeholders is needed to grow RPM programs at scale. One suggestion is to create communication templates that encourage ongoing remote patient monitoring workflow updates for the medical staff. One master workflow for all internal departments ensures teams understand how one department’s actions can impact another. Medical teams can continue to improve workflows during weekly meetings.
Understanding Effective Onboarding of Remote Patient Monitoring
Effective onboarding of remote patient monitoring sets the foundation for long-term success in remote patient monitoring. Maintaining engagement from both patients and clinical teams is key to driving meaningful outcomes. As your program grows, use data to evaluate its impact and adjust your strategies as needed.
Partnering with an experienced RPM vendor ensures patients and providers have access to the guidance and support they need. Ready to bring RPM to your healthcare organization? Schedule a free demo and consultation today with Tenovi.
