Over 400,000 Australians are currently living with heart failure.
While there is no cure, timely supportive care and treatment can improve a patient’s quality of life and help manage their symptoms, which can often fluctuate between visits to the hospital.
Thanks to the generosity of the Opalgate Foundation, a new project is underway at Monash Health, that will significantly improve the care of heart failure patients at the Victorian Heart Hospital – supporting them to communicate and report evolving issues with their treatment teams from home with real-time data.
Led by Associate Professor Peter Poon, Supportive and Palliative Care Research Director at Monash Health, the project’s mobile app will promote timely referrals to supportive care services and alert clinicians to problems developing between clinic attendance – helping to deliver timely, high-quality care for our patients.
‘By creating this application, we will be empowering patients and their carers to report their physical symptoms, mental health, carer burden, and any pressing issues impacting their wellbeing with their treatment teams in real-time, not just at their next appointment,’ said Peter.
This project will have a big impact on the care journeys of heart failure patients and their families during what is such a challenging time.
‘With this data, we will be able to improve our communication and care, identifying and addressing any problems sooner, and provide more holistic timely care.’
The research and co-design for the mobile app and its paradigm of care, is under way in close collaboration with the Victorian Heart Hospital and key stakeholders. This will be followed by a feasibility study making the app available for our Monash Health patients with heart failure.
The Opalgate Foundation’s heartfelt contribution to this project is in memory of Anna Law, the Law family’s much-loved daughter, sister, niece and aunt.
This project will recognise Anna’s legacy by enhancing the quality of life outcomes for heart failure patients at the Victorian Heart Hospital.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Law family and the Opalgate Foundation for their generous support and commitment to this cause.