PhD defence N.T.B. (Niels) Scholte

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

This dissertation explores the role of digital health technologies in the care of patients with heart failure (HF) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). It focuses on the effectiveness and integration of remote monitoring (RM) and non-invasive tools into everyday clinical practice.
The first section evaluates current digital health applications in HF care. The findings indicate that RM can help reduce mortality and hospital admissions, but highlights the need for greater standardization and more personalized approaches. While wearable technologies for HF monitoring show promise, they are not yet ready for widespread clinical use.
The second section looks ahead to the future of telemonitoring in HF care. Research suggests that combining wearable technology with artificial intelligence has the potential to enable more personalized and responsive care for HF patients.
The third section examines the use of wristbands with photoplethysmography (PPG) technology for detecting cardiac arrest. An algorithm was found to be highly effective in detecting cardiac arrest, with promising results from clinical studies.
While digital technologies offer significant potential to enhance care, challenges remain, such as system variability, usability issues, and the need for scientific validation. Future developments must also address ethical concerns and the broader societal impact of these technologies. With further innovation and thoughtful implementation, digital health tools can contribute to more personalized and effective patient care.