‘The time spent on physical visits has been roughly halved compared to before. We have been able to increase the number of visits from around 1,400 to over 2,000 per year, while the total visit time has decreased.’

Jonna Järvsén Head of Care Unit, Psychiatry Department, Södra Älvsborg Hospital (SÄS)

Rapidly growing patient group drives development in adult psychiatry

The general psychiatric outpatient clinic at Södra Älvsborg Hospital in the Västra Götaland Region has undergone a transformation in recent years to meet a rapidly growing patient group while ensuring good, equal care. The clinic has 55 employees and is responsible for around 2,500 patients, with the largest and fastest-growing group being people with ADHD — a group growing by 20–25 percent per year. A large proportion are young adults transitioning from child and adolescent psychiatry. Currently, 11 percent of 14-year-olds in the catchment area have an ADHD diagnosis, so continued growth in patient numbers is expected for adult psychiatry as well.

Resource-intensive follow-up

Most ADHD patients are on medical treatment, which requires six-monthly follow-ups including tests, effect evaluation, and assessment of side effects. Previously, these follow-ups required in-person clinic visits of 45–60 minutes per patient — an unsustainable burden given the growing patient volume and the other patient groups competing for the same care resources.

– We realized we wouldn’t be able to meet demand with traditional ways of working. Just the ADHD patient follow-ups risked taking up half of our physician resources, says Jonna

From pilot to continuous operation

To free up time while maintaining quality, a pilot was launched using digital remote patient monitoring. The clinic experienced significant time savings, and patient feedback was positive. The technical solution used during the pilot was later replaced, and in the autumn of 2024 the clinic switched to Platform24’s remote patient monitoring system.

Once the solution was implemented, around 500 patients were contacted, of whom 96 percent agreed to take part. Patients participating in the remote patient monitoring receive a blood pressure monitor by mail and can take their readings at home, whenever it suits them. The readings are automatically transferred to the remote patient monitoring app and made available directly to healthcare staff, who are notified of any abnormal values. The new way of working is now used continuously, and all patients starting medication are monitored during the dose adjustment phase and then again twice a year in connection with follow-up visits. All around 900 ADHD patients with access to BankID are offered the option of a six-monthly follow-up through remote patient monitoring, allowing them to measure their blood pressure at home, whenever it suits them.

– Many patients appreciate being able to take their measurements at home without having to take time off work or school. It simply makes everyday life easier, says Jonna Järvsén.

Ahead of the six-monthly follow-up visits, blood pressure is monitored for four weeks and the patient fills in a rating questionnaire. In addition to the monitoring itself taking place remotely and on the patient’s own terms, these follow-up visits — where doctors and patients review the readings together — are also conducted digitally.

Effects of remote patient monitoring

Healthcare staff and quality of care

●  Time savings for healthcare staff: the time required for clinic visits has roughly halved compared to before. The clinic has been able to increase the number of visits from 1,400 to over 2,000 per year, while total visit time has decreased.

● Fewer no-shows: Digital reminders ahead of the appointment and the ease of attending a digital visit have reduced the number of cancelled appointments, leading to more efficient use of healthcare staff’s time.

Patient benefits

●  Increased accessibility without the need for time off work or school.

●  Greater flexibility and the ability to take measurements at home

●  High engagement and acceptance of the method.

The implementation of remote patient monitoring has made it possible for the clinic to meet a rapidly growing patient group while maintaining quality, improving accessibility, and using resources more efficiently.