Technology goes on holiday to monitor health

Technology, too, is "going on vacation," landing on the beach and in the mountains to monitor your health. Today, a new technological ally is making its way into travel bags: remote health monitoring. From smartwatches that monitor your heart rate to connected glucometers, the ability to monitor your health even miles from home can revolutionize the concept of a safe vacation. Fears of a sudden illness or the need for a medical consultation while vacationing in a remote location or abroad: thanks to remote monitoring, these anxieties can now, in many cases, experts note, be overcome. Technology allows vital data such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, heart rate, and oxygen saturation to be collected directly from the patient, transmitting them in real time to healthcare professionals.

"It's not about replacing your primary care physician, but about extending their monitoring and intervention capabilities even when the patient is on the move," explains Riccardo Starace, a Telemedicine and Digital Health expert on the CNEL working group that, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, is developing guidelines for new healthcare professions in modern socioeconomic systems, for digitalization, and for artificial intelligence applied to healthcare systems. "For those suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, it means being able to manage their condition without interruptions, even with time zone changes or new eating habits typical of vacations." According to Starace, "preparing for a tele-assisted vacation is easier than you think. The key is prevention and connectivity. It's essential to talk to your family doctor. He or she will recommend which parameters to monitor and which devices are best suited to your needs."

Remote health monitoring is particularly valuable in various circumstances, the expert explains. For diabetics traveling, for example, a larger-than-usual meal or an extra walk can affect blood sugar levels. A connected glucometer allows you to send data and receive feedback on your insulin dose or diet, even remotely. Furthermore, climate changes or travel stress can alter blood pressure. Regularly measuring it with a smart device and sending the data to your doctor can prevent unpleasant spikes or drops. Even the heart goes on vacation: for those with heart problems, a portable ECG can detect heart rhythm abnormalities, sending an immediate alert to the doctor, who can assess the urgency of intervention. Another opportunity is telemedicine: digital platforms offer access to doctors and specialists via video consultations, chats, or phone calls. They can include e-prescribing services and sending reports. Remote health monitoring while on vacation offers many advantages, the expert explains, especially if you're connected to an operations center that monitors the patient's condition: it avoids unnecessary visits to the emergency room, allows for intervention before the problem becomes serious, and in the event of abnormal changes in parameters, the system provides immediate alerts and allows for a timely response. Remote monitoring also helps prevent dehydration and heat stroke, which is especially useful for the elderly, heart patients, and vulnerable individuals.

"Investing in these health monitoring tools can transform the travel experience, offering unprecedented control. However, it's crucial to remember that remote health monitoring never replaces direct medical intervention in the event of a serious emergency. Therefore, if you experience acute chest pain, severe breathing difficulties, or significant trauma," Starace concludes, "the first thing to do is call local emergency services, such as 112 or 118 in Italy."