OnSiteClinics.Org

There may be an “AP” for that

It isn’t the purpose of this Web site to keep you all abreast of new medical treatment options or medical technology.  But, when we saw a recent article about a study on the use of mobile phone technology to improve glucose control in diabetics, it made us realize that those of you who are medical directors, case managers, etc. at on-site services might be interested.  Not just in this particular study, but generally the huge potential for the use of smart phones to improve all communications with patients (and, thereby, potentially their health).

This study was done by the University of Maryland School of Medicine and will be published in the September issue of the Journal of Diabetes Care.  It ran for 12 months and included 163 patients.  The “ap” software became a virtual coach for the patients by wirelessly receiving blood glucose level data and then prompting the patient to respond.  The software also communicates with the physician (wow! that’s all I can say) to keep him/her in the loop, even providing suggestions for a treatment plan.  The outcome?  That’s what is stunning, the A1c levels in patients were lowered by an average of 1.9% over the study period.     Check it out.