Juniper Research predicts that remote monitoring of patients will offer cumulative savings to health systems around the world of $36 billion over the next five years.

The scale of the savings predicted by the research firm is, it admits, the most optimistic scenario for what patient monitoring can deliver. It does not says what the lower projections are.

The firm says monitoring patients in their homes via mobile networks will capitalise on the trend for governments in the western world to adopt the concept of accountable care, whereby funding is linked directly to health outcomes for the patient rather than the cost of treatment.

Remote monitoring is also particularly suited to the treatment of patients with chronic conditions, a growing expense for health systems globally.

Unsurprisingly, in other conclusions, the report says smartphone-based health apps are expected to grow faster than health services delivered via bespoke devices.

However, Juniper warns that those offering mobile health services face one barrier that is often cited: the business model. Or, as the report says, “a lack of clarity on how they will be reimbursed for the services they provide”.