The new 'CATCH ME' apps, developed by the CATCH ME consortium, have been aligned to 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines and will support the healthcare professional-patient relationship.
The new ‘CATCH ME’ apps, developed by the CATCH ME consortium, have been aligned to 2016 European Society of Cardiology guidelines and will support the healthcare professional-patient relationship.
Around 2% of the European population and 12-15% of Europe’s octogenarians suffer from atrial fibrillation (AF), a cardiac disease putting them at risk of stroke, cognitive decline, heart failure, and premature death.
CATCH ME, an EU-funded consortium led by the University of Birmingham with academic and research partners, has developed the apps to support clinical decision-making in personalising AF prevention and management.
The new apps, which are available to download for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play now, are aimed at both healthcare professionals and patients with AF.
‘A number of small studies in the fields of depression, back pain and diabetes have confirmed that the use of healthcare apps can improve patient outcomes,’ explains Professor Paulus Kirchhof, Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine in the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences.
The ‘MyAF’ app gives the patient the ability to enter and securely store a personal health record and AF symptom diary, transmit this information to their healthcare professional and also find out more about AF in general, with information produced in collaboration with the British Heart Foundation, the European Society of Cardiology and AF patients.
‘With our apps we want to empower patients to become active partners in their care and improve communication between the patient and their healthcare professional,’ Professor Kirchhof reveals. ‘The healthcare professional in turn can receive recommended treatment options from the European Society of Cardiology Clinical Practice Guidelines on Atrial Fibrillation.’
The ‘CATCH ME’ apps have been funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 633196.
