Technology offers the potential to revolutionize chronic disease management.
Managing chronic diseases for millions of adults in the US is a significant challenge for primary care providers, but digital health technology could help revolutionize this care.
From heart disease and stroke to diabetes, obesity, and arthritis, half of all US adults experience at least one chronic condition, with treatment accounting for as much as 86% of healthcare costs.
Digital health technology, encompassing remote monitoring, mHealth apps, and wearables, offers potential benefits. But are any of these tools particularly advantageous for healthcare professionals?
To explore this, Medical News Today spoke with primary care and internal medicine specialists about their experiences with digital health tech and its potential for transforming chronic disease management.
Remote Monitoring: Early Success?
Many primary care providers (PCPs) see wireless remote monitoring of patients' vitals and symptoms as attractive. It allows for early intervention when specific symptoms arise, and it empowers patients to take an active role in their care.
Successful remote monitoring tools for managing heart failure have demonstrated a significant reduction in hospitalizations for patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices. These tools have proved more cost-effective than traditional management methods.
The Growing Popularity of Mobile Apps
With 77% of all U.S. adults owning smartphones, medical apps have the potential to empower patients and make a huge impact on managing chronic conditions. Diabetes is viewed as the therapy field that offers the most potential for mobile apps.
In clinical trials, patients using an app to monitor blood glucose showed a greater reduction in HbA1c compared to those not using an app, especially in younger patients. While few patients receive sufficient support to self-manage their diabetes, apps have the potential to help patients better control their condition and lower complication rates.
Wearable Trackers: Potential or Passing Fad?
Wearable devices, such as FitBits, offer endless potential, according to Dr. Marcin, but their role in illness and recovery is not yet clear. While usage has increased in the US, Australia, and the UK, the drop rate remains high.
Despite these devices' questionable impact on health-related outcomes, they can provide real-time results to healthcare providers and improve access to care. This can provide more conveniences and potentially improve patient compliance to diagnostic tests.
Barriers to Access and Usage
The doctors interviewed emphasized barriers preventing widespread uptake of digital health technology, such as lack of access among underserved populations, particularly low-income families. Seniors are another group poorly served by digital health, as many lack tablets or digital literacy skills, and only around 40% are using email and the Internet.
Language barriers also pose a challenge, as most digital health applications are presented primarily in English. To address these issues, framing change is essential, with new technology being user-friendly, easy to learn, and communicated effectively to both providers and patients. Incorporating technology can make patient care better, but it is vital to promote digital literacy and ensure usability, accessibility, and data security measures are in place before implementation.
- The rates of chronic disease management in primary care could potentially improve with the adoption of technology, as digital health tech such as remote monitoring devices, mHealth apps, and wearables offer promising benefits for healthcare professionals.
- Remote monitoring tools have shown success in managing heart failure, leading to a significant reduction in hospitalizations for patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices, making them more cost-effective than traditional methods.
- Mobile apps, especially for diabetes management, have shown potential in clinical trials, with patients using apps to monitor blood glucose levels demonstrating greater reductions in HbA1c, especially among younger patients.
- Despite the questionable impact of wearable devices like Fitbits on health-related outcomes, they can provide real-time results to healthcare providers, improving access to care, and potentially enhancing patient compliance to diagnostic tests.
- Widespread uptake of digital health technology is hindered by various barriers, including lack of access among underserved populations, language barriers, and insufficient digital literacy among seniors.
- To ensure the successful implementation of digital health technology, it is crucial to prioritize user-friendly designs, effective communication to both providers and patients, and the incorporation of data security measures to promote digital literacy and ensure usability, accessibility, and overall effectiveness.
