Philips TV-based study to help manage health from home

Patients do not require a subscription to Comcast's high-speed internet service or any other products.

Philips will install a set top box and home monitoring devices that patients can use to measure their vital signs, such as weight and blood pressure.

Patients will also receive a customized remote control from Philips, specially designed to meet the needs of elderly users. The trial began October 4, 2004.

The goal of the new Motiva communication platform is to provide an engaging, interactive experience for chronic disease patients by:

Delivering personalized healthcare information, medication schedules and educational video content on demand Providing positive reinforcement through daily vital signs and health status feedback, interactive surveys and messaging to encourage a healthy lifestyle, diet and exercise.

Connecting patients to their healthcare providers for 'virtual office visits' Offering connectivity to family members to enable them to provide additional support

"We envision this technology as a 'virtual house call' to promote daily contact with patients that have chronic disease and who would benefit from continuous monitoring and care," said Jeffrey H. Kramer, MD, Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, principal investigator for Cardiovascular Associates.

"It has the potential to help us optimize clinical care by enhancing physician-patient interactions, improving medication compliance and making patients more active participants in their healthcare management. We believe this approach will enhance the patient's quality of life while simultaneously reducing the cost of urgent clinic visits and emergency hospitalizations."

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