The number of patients remotely monitored globally is set to grow from 308,000 in 2012 to 1.8 million by 2017, according to research firm InMedica.

The survey says a majority of the 2012 figure are what is termed post-acute patients who were formerly in hospital but have now been discharged and have returned home. A minority are described in the survey as being ambulatory care patients.

Patients with congestive heart failure make up the largest share of telehealth users, followed by those with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), diabetes and hypertension. Mental health and a selection of other diseases are responsible for the remaining patients.

By 2017, while COPD will still account for most telehealth patients, diabetes will have moved into second place ahead of COPD. Home monitoring of diabetes patients is more established through glucose monitors but there is an increasing trend to integrate those monitors into telehealth systems, says the survey.

This figure is significantly lower than a survey by Berg Insight earlier this month that came up with a figure of 2.8 million patients being remote monitored.