Connected Health Innovation Research Program (C.H.I.R.P.): A bridge for digital health and wellness in cardiology and oncology

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Cancer and heart disease are leading causes of mortality, and cardio-oncology is emerging as a new field addressing the cardiovascular toxicities related to cancer and cancer therapy. Interdisciplinary research platforms that incorporate digital health to optimize cardiovascular health and wellness in cancer survivors are therefore needed as we advance in the digital era. Our goal was to develop the Connected Health Innovation Research Program (C.H.I.R.P.) to serve as a foundation for future integration and assessments of adoption and clinical efficacy of digital health tools for cardiovascular health and wellness in the general population and in oncology patients. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Partner companies were identified through the American Medical Association innovation platform, as well as LinkedIn and direct contact by our team. Company leaders met with our team to discuss features of their technology or software. Non-disclosure agreements were signed and data were discussed and obtained for descriptive or statistical analysis. RESULTS: A suite of companies with technologies focused on wellness, biometrics tracking, audio companions, oxygen saturation, weight trends, sleep patterns, heart rate variability, electrocardiogram patterns, blood pressure patterns, real-time metabolism tracking, instructional video modules, or integration of these technologies into electronic health records was collated. We formed an interdisciplinary research team and established an academia-industry collaborative foundation for connecting patients with wellness digital health technologies. CONCLUSIONS: A suite of software and device technologies accessible to the cardiology and oncology population has been established and will facilitate retrospective, prospective, and case research studies assessing adoption and clinical efficacy of digital health tools in cardiology/oncology.