Discussion
There has been strong demand for remote monitoring devices to gather data with no or less in-person contact.1 Various types of wearable monitoring devices with higher accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity have been invented.5 However, Ferguson et al.6 state there are disadvantages regarding the adoption of wearable devices for older patients; these relate to the design of the devices, appropriate and timely feedback, user-friendliness, and cost. In the present study, we provide evidence of high patient acceptance of self-wearing an ECG device and sending the device by post. The Japanese postal service is known for its reliable, fast, and high-quality service that is able to deliver the ECG devices in 1 or 2 days with no difficulty. There are approximately 180,000 postboxes in Japan; therefore, there was no need for patients to visit the hospital to put on or take off the ECG device. Instead, the patients just put the ECG devices in the nearest postbox to return them to the hospital, thus reducing patient burden. In terms of the cost, patients did not need to pay an additional charge for postal delivery. The cost of postal delivery was only around $3.50 everywhere in Japan. All ECG devices were sterilized and could be used for the next examination. The medical cost performance of the self-wearable ECG monitoring device delivered via the postal service would be high for both patients and medical facilities.
Patients of different ages (range: 15–82 years old) were enrolled in the present study. Some had dementia and needed partial assistance in daily life. However, there was no difficulty with wearing the ECG devices or sending them back to the hospital by post, which suggests that this method would be applicable in other clinical practices.