Dr. Hyekyun Rhee started out as a pediatric oncology nurse in Seoul, South Korea but after continually encountering teens facing difficulties with chronic asthma, she made the switch to research. Dr. Rhee took the new opportunity to address the challenging issue and found a deep passion for developing technology to manage the symptoms of individuals with asthma. As a NINR-supported nurse researcher, she partnered with Dr. Mark Bocko, distinguished professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Rochester, to develop the Automated Device for Asthma Monitoring (ADAM). ADAM is a mobile device facilitating continuous and objective asthma symptom monitoring to assist patients with management of their condition through a smartphone app.
This device is being repurposed and tested for possible use in monitoring the symptoms of patients with COVID-19. The device can be worn as a flexible patch on the upper body and monitors respiratory conditions and symptoms, such as coughing frequency. This data collection tool provides essential information to patients and their health care providers to support managing their asthma symptoms and enhance knowledge of needed care. Past studies have found that users find the device to be convenient, user-friendly, and useful. The results are promising in efforts to address barriers to self-management, such as inadequate tools/methods for symptom monitoring and poor symptom perception.
The device is patented and licensed to a digital health company and has been cited by an industry publication as one of the top wearable technologies in 2020. As poor air quality increases and asthma symptoms become more severe, new and effective solutions are essential to improving health outcomes and quality of life.
References:
Rhee H, Belyea MJ, Sterling M, Bocko MF. Evaluating the Validity of an Automated Device for Asthma Monitoring for Adolescents: Correlational Design. J Med Internet Res. 2015;17(10):e234. Published 2015 Oct 16. Doi:10.2196/jmir.4975. PMID: 26475634; PMCID: PMC4704980.
Rhee H, Miner S, Sterling M, Halterman JS, Fairbanks E. The development of an automated device for asthma monitoring for adolescents: methodologic approach and user acceptability. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2014;2(2):e27. Published 2014 Jun 19. Doi:10.2196/mhealth. PMID: 25100184; PMCID: PMC4114416.
Marcotte, B. (2019, July 19). Helping teens with asthma: 'is there a better way?'. News Center. Retrieved September 22, 2022, from https://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/teens-with-asthma-a-better-way-hyekyun-rhee-369112/.