Recruiting organisation: Discipline of Primary Care, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Supervisors: Dr. Paul O’Connor and Dr. Sinead Lydon
Co-supervisor: Prof. Tanja Manser, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW)
Doctoral Candidate: Sara Cucurachi
Secondments: Aerogen, Galway (2 months); University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland (FHNW) (2 months)
Summary: The project aims to explore the barriers and facilitators of remote patient monitoring. Its objectives are to:
- Identify the challenges and key enablers of remote physiological monitoring from the perspectives of all stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, patients, and technology developers.
- Develop recommendations to overcome these barriers and enhance team performance in remote monitoring practices.
Background
Remote monitoring has become increasingly important in healthcare, especially in recent years, as technology advances and the demand for more efficient, patient-centered care grows. By using digital tools and wearable devices, remote monitoring enables healthcare providers to track patients’ vital signs, symptoms, and overall health status from a distance. This approach has gained significant traction due to the rise of chronic diseases, the need for continuous care, and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the importance of minimizing in-person visits. Remote monitoring improves early detection of health issues, enhances patient engagement, and reduces hospital readmissions, ultimately leading to better outcomes and more sustainable healthcare systems. As digital health solutions continue to evolve, remote monitoring is expected to play an even greater role in shaping the future of healthcare.
Approach
The project aims to achieve its goals through:
- A systematic review of the barriers and facilitators to the adoption of virtual wards.
- A qualitative study utilizing semi-structured interviews with patients, healthcare providers, and technology developers on barriers and facilitators in remote monitoring models
- A case study examining the implementation of virtual wards for remote patient care.
Our research team
The Discipline of General Practice, founded in 1997, is the largest in Ireland and is recognized for highly rated teaching and impactful research. It provides hands-on medical training across the western seaboard, including Irish-speaking communities, and has influenced patient care and national healthcare policy, earning prestigious awards such as the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland Award for Best Research Paper. The research themes of the discipline include chronic condition and multimorbidity, antibiotic resistance, connected health, clinical education, and patient safety.
Key faculty members include Professor Paul O’Connor, an expert in human factors and patient safety, and Dr. Sinéad Lydon, a leading behavioural psychologist and Vice-Dean for Equality, Diversity, and Wellbeing. Their work significantly contributes to advancing patient safety and quality of care.
University of Galway
Founded in 1845, the University of Galway is located in the city of Galway on the west coast of Ireland. With over 19,000 students, 3,300 international students and 480 international staff from 122 countries, the university contributes greatly to the diversity and dynamism of Galway city and the West of Ireland as a region. The University of Galway is Ireland’s leading University for student volunteering and for graduate employability, with a graduate employment rate of 98% over the past number of years.
The University’s main Galway campus sits at the heart of the city, covering over 105 hectares of land along the River Corrib. The regional footprint of the university is the largest in Ireland, spanning the Atlantic seaboard with over 2,770 staff and 110,000 alumni network worldwide. As one of the largest employers in Galway, the university makes a significant contribution to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the city