Volume 202 - Issue 7
A systematic approach to chronic heart failure care: a consensus statement
Authors: Sally C Inglis and Robyn A Clark
Med J Aust 2015; 202 (7): 361. || doi: 10.5694/mja14.01175
Published online: 20 April 2015
Published online: 20 April 2015
There is a significant body of evidence demonstrating effectiveness of telemonitoring in improving CHF outcomes
To the Editor: We commend Page and colleagues for their comprehensive statement on chronic heart failure (CHF) care.1 However, we wish to highlight an important omission to the discussion regarding telemonitoring.
There is Level 1 evidence for the use of telemonitoring as part of CHF management.2 Currently, telehealth is a major strategic item on the agenda of the federal Department of Health.3 Telehealth and telemonitoring can be the best options for Australians with CHF who do not have access to multidisciplinary or specialist heart failure care for reasons of carer responsibility, geography, socioeconomics, cultural and linguistic diversity, frailty, immobility or complexity of illness. To provide truly consumer-focused CHF care, options need to be available to all patients equally.4
We believe an opportunity has been missed in this consensus statement, particularly in regard to the poor access to multidisciplinary and specialist CHF care services in Australia.5 Although the evidence base for the use of telehealth in CHF care and management is still evolving, we now have a significant body of evidence demonstrating effectiveness in improving CHF outcomes.2
We agree with the authors that future research should consider the role of telehealth. However, we recommend that this research should be in the form of translation, implementation and integration of telehealth-based CHF care within the Australian health care system, to overcome current unresolved inequities.
Competing interests
No relevant disclosures.
Acknowledgements
Sally Inglis is supported by a NSW Cardiovascular Research Network Life Science Research Fellowship from the Heart Foundation and the NSW Office for Science and Medical Research (CR 11S 6226).
References
- Page K, Marwick TH, Lee R, et al. A systematic approach to chronic heart failure care: a consensus statement. Med J Aust 2014; 201: 146-150. 1
- Inglis SC, Clark RA, McAlister FA, et al. Structured telephone support or telemonitoring programmes for patients with chronic heart failure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2010; (8): CDC0072228. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007228.pub3. 2
- Australian Government Department of Health. National E-Health Strategy. Canberra: DoH, 2012 http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/National+Ehealth+Strategy (accessed Aug 2014).
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards. Sydney: ACSQHC, 2012. http://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications/national-safety-and-quality-health-service-standards (accessed Jan 2015).
- Clark RA, Driscoll A. Access and quality of heart failure management programs in Australia. Aust Crit Care 2009; 22: 111-116. lefthere