Discussion
There has been strong demand for remote monitoring devices to gather
data with no or less in-person contact.1 Various types
of wearable monitoring devices with higher accuracy, specificity, and
sensitivity have been invented.5 However, Ferguson et
al.6 state there are disadvantages regarding the
adoption of wearable devices for older patients; these relate to the
design of the devices, appropriate and timely feedback,
user-friendliness, and cost. In the present study, we provide evidence
of high patient acceptance of self-wearing an ECG device and sending the
device by post. The Japanese postal service is known for its reliable,
fast, and high-quality service that is able to deliver the ECG devices
in 1 or 2 days with no difficulty. There are approximately 180,000
postboxes in Japan; therefore, there was no need for patients to visit
the hospital to put on or take off the ECG device. Instead, the patients
just put the ECG devices in the nearest postbox to return them to the
hospital, thus reducing patient burden. In terms of the cost, patients
did not need to pay an additional charge for postal delivery. The cost
of postal delivery was only around $3.50 everywhere in Japan. All ECG
devices were sterilized and could be used for the next examination. The
medical cost performance of the self-wearable ECG monitoring device
delivered via the postal service would be high for both patients and
medical facilities.
Patients of different ages (range: 15–82 years old) were enrolled in
the present study. Some had dementia and needed partial assistance in
daily life. However, there was no difficulty with wearing the ECG
devices or sending them back to the hospital by post, which suggests
that this method would be applicable in other clinical practices.