inCareNet HF in telecardiology – an interview with cardiologist Dr Gerhard Hoh

Dr Gerhard Hoh shares his experiences with inCareNet HF from SEMDATEX and explains how telemonitoring has revolutionised his daily practice. He talks about opportunities, challenges and the pioneering role of telecardiology.

About

Dr Gerhard Hoh is a specialist in internal medicine, cardiology, sports medicine and hypertensiologist (DHL) in a cardiology group practice in Wittenberg. His areas of expertise are echocardiography, rhythmology, preventive medicine, psychosomatic medicine and telemedicine. Since 2022, he has been working with inCareNet HF from SEMDATEX in his practice. Read the following interview to find out how inCareNet has changed his work and why he would recommend it to other cardiologists.

SEMDATEX: How do you assess the role of telemonitoring in modern heart failure treatment?

Dr. Hoh: Telemedicine will play an increasingly important role in the future of cardiology. On the one hand, because patients with heart failure should be treated well with medication, but also to prevent affected patients from being admitted to hospital again. Telemedicine makes possible what previously only close monitoring could. That is why we have set up a Telemedicine Center (TMZ) in Wittenberg.

What advantages do you see in telemonitoring, particularly for cardiologists and for patients?

The advantages for cardiologists are manifold: I no longer need to make appointments and I can look after patients who are outside my local area, for example in other federal states or other countries. Many of my patients have to travel a long way to see me. Telemedicine enables them to come to my practice only in urgent cases. This is particularly beneficial for elderly patients. One of the advantages of telemedicine is also to prevent complications in a timely manner.

You work with inCareNet HF in your day-to-day practice. How has this changed your work?

It's a completely different way of working, which requires a certain amount of structural change. That's why I've employed a tele-nurse for several years now, who is in close contact with my patients. She checks the data of those patients who are connected to telemonitoring on a daily basis. In the event of an abnormality that is detected by inCareNet itself or by my telenurse, she has the option of calling the patient directly. If necessary, the patient can then come to see me. This not only saves me a lot of time, but also makes everyday life much easier for my patients and gives them back a good deal of the quality of life they thought they had lost. Continuous monitoring gives most of them a sense of security.

If you were to talk to a colleague who is also a cardiologist but perhaps does not yet have inCareNet HF in his practice, what would you tell him?

I would advise him to do so and add: You have to prepare for it, because there is no way around telemedicine in the long term. The only question is how to go about it. It was crucial for me to be able to delegate tasks. All my employees know how to use inCareNet and are aware of it: There is sometimes something to do here on Saturdays too, because we are always there for our patients.

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing healthcare systems?

I think the biggest challenge is that we have a structural problem and medical care is not thought of holistically, from all angles. Ideally, this would be possible in an all-encompassing platform in which GPs, cardiologists and other specialists, such as psychiatrists, make entries and patient data can be accessed collectively.

What future developments in telemedicine and telecardiology do you expect that will be of particular importance for HF patients and cardiologists?

The biggest change has already come into effect. The vast amount of data, patient data, that is floating around out there needs to be analyzed in a way that goes beyond the human. Artificial intelligence (AI) will significantly change the way we work and also make it easier. I find it exciting to be right in the middle of it all and look to the future of telecardiology with hope.