Remote Patient Monitoring vs Telemedicine: What Each Option Does & Doesn’t Do for Pediatric Care

Audience: pediatric

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Telemedicine are two digital health tools that help care for children from a distance. RPM uses devices to track health data like heart rate or oxygen levels continuously or regularly. Telemedicine connects patients and doctors through video, phone, or chat for live health visits. Both can improve access to care, especially for children with chronic conditions or in areas far from clinics. However, they serve different roles. RPM focuses on collecting health information over time to spot changes early. Telemedicine allows direct communication for advice, diagnosis, and treatment. Neither replaces emergency care or physical exams when needed. Understanding what each can and cannot do helps families and providers choose the best approach for a child’s health needs.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Child has trouble breathing, persistent wheezing, or blue lips — seek emergency care immediately.
• Child is unresponsive, very drowsy, or cannot be awakened — call emergency services right away.
• Child has a high fever lasting more than 3 days or seizures — get urgent medical attention.

What telemedicine can do

• Routine follow-up visits for chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes.
• Mild to moderate common illnesses such as colds, rashes, or minor injuries.
• Mental health support and counseling sessions.
• Review and discussion of health data collected through RPM devices.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Emergency situations requiring immediate physical intervention.
• Physical exams needing hands-on assessment or procedures.
• Complex diagnostic tests that require specialized equipment.
• Administration of treatments that must be done in person, like injections or surgeries.

What Is Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)?

RPM uses special devices to collect health information from a child outside the doctor’s office. Examples include wearable heart monitors, glucose sensors, or blood pressure cuffs. These devices send data to healthcare teams who watch for changes that might need attention. RPM helps track ongoing conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart problems without frequent clinic visits.

What Is Telemedicine?

Telemedicine means having a health visit with a doctor or nurse using video calls, phone, or messaging. It lets families get advice, ask questions, and sometimes receive diagnoses or prescriptions without traveling. Telemedicine is useful for many common childhood illnesses, follow-ups, or mental health support.

How RPM and Telemedicine Work Together

RPM provides continuous health data that can inform telemedicine visits. For example, if a child’s oxygen level drops, the healthcare team can quickly arrange a telemedicine visit to discuss symptoms and decide next steps. Together, they offer a more complete picture of a child’s health remotely.

What RPM and Telemedicine Can’t Do

Neither RPM nor telemedicine can replace emergency care. If a child has severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, seizures, or unresponsiveness, seek emergency help immediately. Also, some physical exams and tests require in-person visits. Telemedicine may not be able to perform detailed physical exams or procedures.

Preparing for a Telemedicine Visit

Before a telemedicine visit, ensure you have a quiet, private space with good internet or phone connection. Have your child's medical history, current medications, and any recent health data (like RPM reports) ready. Write down questions or symptoms to discuss. Check that the device you’ll use (phone, tablet, computer) is charged and working.

After a Telemedicine Visit

Follow any care instructions given by the healthcare provider. Schedule any recommended in-person visits or tests. Monitor your child’s symptoms and use RPM devices as directed. Contact your healthcare team if your child’s condition changes or worsens.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Ensure a stable internet or phone connection for the telemedicine visit.
• Find a quiet, private space free from distractions.
• Have your child's medical records and current medication list available.
• Prepare any health data from RPM devices to share with the provider.
• Write down symptoms, questions, or concerns to discuss.
• Test your device's camera and microphone before the appointment.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the healthcare provider’s instructions carefully.
• Schedule any recommended in-person appointments or tests.
• Continue using RPM devices as directed and report any concerning changes.
• Monitor your child’s symptoms and seek emergency care if red flags appear.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions after the visit.

FAQs

Can Remote Patient Monitoring replace regular doctor visits for my child?

RPM helps track your child’s health between visits but usually does not replace all in-person check-ups. Doctors may still need to see your child for physical exams and tests.

Is telemedicine safe for diagnosing my child’s illness?

Telemedicine is often safe and effective for many common conditions. However, if your child’s symptoms are severe or unclear, an in-person exam may be necessary.

Do I need special devices to use telemedicine?

Telemedicine can often be done using a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone. No special devices are needed unless your doctor requests specific health monitoring tools.

How does RPM help manage chronic conditions in children?

RPM devices collect health data continuously or regularly, helping doctors spot changes early and adjust treatment plans to keep your child healthy.

What should I do if my child’s RPM device shows abnormal readings?

Contact your healthcare provider promptly to discuss the readings. Do not ignore unusual data, especially if your child has symptoms.

Sources

1. Remote Patient Monitoring — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Telehealth: What You Need to Know — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
3. Telemedicine and Pediatric Care — American Academy of Pediatrics.
4. Using Telehealth to Expand Access to Essential Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic — World Health Organization (WHO).

This information is for education and triage only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If your child has severe or urgent symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.