Giuseppe Boriani1,2, Emma Svennberg3, Federico Guerra4,5, Dominik Linz6, Ruben Casado-Arroyo7, Katarzyna Malaczynska-Rajpold8, David Duncker9, Serge Boveda10,11, Josè Luis Merino12, Christophe Leclercq13. 1. Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Via del Pozzo, 71, 41124 Modena, Italy. 2. EHRA mHEALTH and Health Economics Section, European Heart Rhythm Association, Biot 06903, France. 3. Karolinska Institutet, Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, 141 57 Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden. 4. Cardiology and Arrhythmology Clinic, University Hospital 'Lancisi-Umberto I- Salesi', 60126 Ancona, Italy. 5. Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University, 60126 Ancona, Italy. 6. Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands. 7. Department of Cardiology, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Bruxelles, Belgium. 8. Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals, Guy's & St Thomas, NHS Foundation Trust, London SW3 6NP, UK. 9. Hannover Heart Rhythm Center, Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany. 10. Cardiology-Heart Rhythm Management Department, Clinique Pasteur, 31076 Toulouse, France. 11. Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium. 12. Arrhythmia & Robotic EP Unit, University Hospital La Paz, Autonoma University, IdiPaz, 28029 Madrid, Spain. 13. Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Rennes, 35033 Rennes cedex 9, France.
Abstract
AIMS: Since digital devices are increasingly used in cardiology for assessing cardiac rhythm and detecting arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation (AF), our aim was to evaluate the expectations and opinions of healthcare professionals in Europe on reimbursement policies for the use of digital devices (including wearables) in AF and other arrhythmias. METHODS AND RESULTS: An anonymous survey was proposed through announcements on the European Heart Rhythm Association website, social media channels, and mail newsletter. Two hundred and seventeen healthcare professionals participated in the survey: 32.7%, reported regular use of digital devices, 45.2% reported that they sometimes use these tools, 18.6% that they do not use but would like to. Only a minority (3.5%) reported a lack of trust in digital devices. The survey highlighted a general propensity to provide medical consultation for suspected AF or other arrhythmias detected by a consumer-initiated use of digital devices, even if time constraints and reimbursement availability emerged as important elements. More than 85% of respondents agreed that reimbursement should be applied for clinical use of digital devices, also in different settings such as post-stroke, post-cardioversion, post-ablation, and in patients with palpitations or syncope. Finally, 73.6% of respondents confirmed a lack of reimbursement fees in their country for physicians' consultations (tracings interpretation) related to digital devices. CONCLUSIONS: Digital devices, including wearables, are increasingly and widely used for assessing cardiac rhythm and detecting AF, but a definition of reimbursement policies for physicians' consultations is needed.
AIMS: Since digital devices are increasingly used in cardiology for assessing cardiac rhythm and detecting arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation (AF), our aim was to evaluate the expectations and opinions of healthcare professionals in Europe on reimbursement policies for the use of digital devices (including wearables) in AF and other arrhythmias. METHODS AND RESULTS: An anonymous survey was proposed through announcements on the European Heart Rhythm Association website, social media channels, and mail newsletter. Two hundred and seventeen healthcare professionals participated in the survey: 32.7%, reported regular use of digital devices, 45.2% reported that they sometimes use these tools, 18.6% that they do not use but would like to. Only a minority (3.5%) reported a lack of trust in digital devices. The survey highlighted a general propensity to provide medical consultation for suspected AF or other arrhythmias detected by a consumer-initiated use of digital devices, even if time constraints and reimbursement availability emerged as important elements. More than 85% of respondents agreed that reimbursement should be applied for clinical use of digital devices, also in different settings such as post-stroke, post-cardioversion, post-ablation, and in patients with palpitations or syncope. Finally, 73.6% of respondents confirmed a lack of reimbursement fees in their country for physicians' consultations (tracings interpretation) related to digital devices. CONCLUSIONS: Digital devices, including wearables, are increasingly and widely used for assessing cardiac rhythm and detecting AF, but a definition of reimbursement policies for physicians' consultations is needed.
Authors: F Halimi; P Sabouret; J P Huberman; L Ouazana; D Guedj; K Djouadi; T S Dhanjal; A Goette; C Lafont; Nicolas Lellouche Journal: Clin Res Cardiol Date: 2022-09-28 Impact factor: 6.138