Remote Therapeutic Monitoring for the Gaps Between Visits

This article by Dr. Kayvan Haddadan was originally published on KevinMD.com on July 16, 2026. As APDSS launches its own in-house Remote Therapeutic Monitoring program, Dr. Haddadan shares his insights on how this technology bridges care gaps for chronic pain patients.

Over my more than 20 years as a pain management physician, I have seen countless patients struggle with chronic pain. Many describe the same frustrations: breakthrough pain that disrupts their days, the challenge of sticking to home exercises or medications, and the anxiety of wondering whether their symptoms are worsening between office visits. Traditional care, with its reliance on scheduled appointments, often leaves gaps that can lead to flare-ups, unnecessary emergency department visits, or preventable complications. In my experience, these gaps are where patients feel most vulnerable.

That is why I have become such a strong advocate for remote therapeutic monitoring, or RTM. In simple terms, RTM uses digital tools to help us stay gently connected with patients by tracking helpful, non-physiological information, things like daily pain levels, how well they are managing their exercises, their functional progress, and how they are responding to treatment. It is not about constant surveillance. Rather, it is about creating a supportive bridge between visits so we can notice changes early and adjust plans thoughtfully.

From what I have observed in practice and read in the literature, this approach offers meaningful benefits for patient safety. When we can see trends in pain patterns or adherence early, we have the opportunity to make small, timely adjustments, perhaps refining an exercise routine, offering additional guidance on pacing activities, or addressing sleep issues before they compound the pain cycle. Many of my patients have shared how reassuring it feels to know someone on the care team is paying attention, which seems to build confidence and encourage them to stay engaged with their plan. Published research echoes this, reporting high patient satisfaction and strong engagement with these tools.

Understanding remote therapeutic monitoring

RTM employs FDA-compliant devices or digital platforms to gather and transmit patient-generated data remotely. It focuses on therapeutic insights rather than vital signs alone, capturing information on pain intensity, patterns, and fluctuations reported by patients; adherence to home exercises, physical therapy routines, or prescribed treatments; and daily function, mobility, sleep quality, and overall response to a variety of interventional procedures.

Providers review this data to make informed adjustments, fostering proactive rather than reactive care, an approach that a Bipartisan Policy Center analysis identifies as central to the future of remote monitoring. This approach is well-suited for chronic pain management, supporting conditions such as low back pain, osteoarthritis, and post-surgical recovery by delivering continuous oversight in real-world settings.

Boosting patient safety

Patients living with chronic pain encounter numerous risks, including flare-ups, non-adherence to treatment, side effects from medications, and declining function. In my experience, RTM strengthens safety in several key ways.

• Early identification of issues: Ongoing data streams reveal concerning trends, such as increasing pain or reduced activity, allowing clinicians to intervene promptly with therapy modifications, education, or additional support before problems worsen.
• Enhanced treatment adherence: Regular feedback and monitoring encourage patients to stay consistent with their care plans, which in my practice has translated into stronger day-to-day engagement.
• Personalized, safer plans: Insights help tailor interventions, optimizing non-drug approaches and supporting safer use of medications when needed, while addressing psychosocial factors.
• Greater patient empowerment: Convenient, at-home monitoring builds confidence, reduces feelings of isolation, and improves satisfaction, with published research noting high feasibility and user approval.

By bridging gaps between visits, RTM supports more stable, effective pain control and lowers the likelihood of adverse events.

Preventing emergency department visits

One area where I have seen particular value is reducing the need for emergency visits. Chronic pain flares can feel frightening and overwhelming, often driving patients to the ED when symptoms feel out of control. With RTM, we can identify rising discomfort or challenges with daily function sooner and respond with supportive interventions from afar. This has the potential to prevent escalation and keep care where it belongs, in the home or outpatient setting.

• Timely interventions: Real-time or near-real-time monitoring enables virtual check-ins and rapid plan adjustments, addressing issues in their early stages rather than allowing them to escalate into emergencies.
• Supporting evidence: By improving adherence and symptom control in musculoskeletal and pain-related care, remote monitoring may help patients avoid unnecessary trips to the ED.
• More productive care: With better background data, in-person visits become more focused, while routine concerns are managed remotely, further decreasing reliance on emergency services.

This benefit is especially meaningful for high-risk groups, including older adults and those with mobility limitations or complex comorbidities. In my view, this is kinder to patients and more aligned with truly personalized care.

Achieving cost savings for the health care system

The economic toll of chronic pain, including frequent health care encounters, hospitalizations, and lost productivity, is substantial. In principle, RTM helps alleviate these pressures in several ways.

• Lower acute care utilization: Fewer ED visits, admissions, and readmissions translate directly into reduced high-cost events.
• Greater efficiency: Providers can optimize their time with data-driven decisions, leading to more streamlined care delivery and better resource allocation.
• Broader system benefits: By supporting preventive strategies and value-based care, RTM may contribute to overall savings. Related telehealth approaches in chronic pain management have reported notable cost reductions compared to traditional models.
• Advantages for patients: Reduced travel, fewer appointments, and better symptom control also lower personal financial burdens.

Although additional research is needed to fully quantify long-term clinical impacts, RTM’s feasibility and potential for cost-effectiveness make it a promising component of modern pain management programs. For patients, as mentioned above, this can mean less travel, fewer unexpected bills, and more energy to focus on living their lives.

Looking ahead: implementation and potential

After years of seeing these challenges firsthand, I have come to believe RTM works best when it is simple and practical for busy practices and real patients. The goal is never complexity. It is to support the natural flow of care, respect patient privacy, and fit into everyday clinical routines without adding burden. Effective RTM relies on user-friendly technology, strong patient education, and seamless integration into clinical workflows. Key considerations include ensuring equitable access, protecting data privacy, and tailoring programs to individual needs. As platforms evolve and more real-world evidence accumulates, RTM is poised to become a standard element in comprehensive chronic pain care.

Of course, technology is only one piece of the puzzle. The most important elements remain compassionate listening, individualized plans, and building trust. RTM simply offers an additional, gentle way to extend that care. If you are a provider working with chronic pain patients, I encourage you to explore how remote therapeutic monitoring might complement your practice. The evidence continues to grow, and my own experience suggests it can be a valuable ally in helping people live more comfortably and safely with chronic pain.

Conclusion

After two decades in this field, I remain hopeful. Tools like RTM remind us that we can blend human connection with thoughtful technology to offer better support for those who need it most. Remote therapeutic monitoring is transforming how chronic pain is managed by enabling continuous, patient-centered care. It prioritizes safety through early action, curbs preventable emergency visits, and supports meaningful savings within strained health care systems. As adoption expands, RTM holds the potential to improve outcomes for countless patients while promoting a more sustainable and efficient model of care.

Originally published on KevinMD.com on July 16, 2026.