HA to regularise telehealth scheme for bowel condition

The Hospital Authority on Thursday announced it will regularise a scheme that remotely monitors patients suffering from inflammatory stomach flu. Patients taking part in the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Smart Care Telehealth Programme are required to complete an e-survey that consists of up to six questions in the HA GO app every four weeks or when necessary. A survey score of under 3.6 means that a patient's condition is well controlled, and those above that number means a patient needs medical care. Nurses would regularly review the results and follow up individually as required. Patients who are in a stable condition can choose whether to hold a telehealth meeting with doctors. They can also choose whether to use a medication delivery service or pick up their pills in person. Edmund Wu, associate consultant for medicine and geriatrics at Princess Margaret Hospital said the scheme provides convenience to patients. "We have found that 92 percent of patients like this new smart care telehealth model and 81 percent of them appreciate the flexibility of the follow-up arrangement, including reducing follow-up frequency," he added. The scheme will discussed at the upcoming Hospital Authority Convention 2026 to be held from May 11 to 13. Edited by Aaron Tam