Managing Chronic Diseases: Can Innovations in Technology Offer a Solution?
Chronic disease management for patients has become a significant challenge for primary care providers, especially in light of the potential offered by digital health technology. Over half of U.S. adults suffer from at least one condition, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, or arthritis. With digital technology, which includes remote monitoring, mobile health apps, and wearables like FitBits, could healthcare professionals transform the lives of these patients?
To uncover the answers, we tapped into the insights of primary care and internal medicine specialists to learn about their daily practices and opinions on digital health technology's revolutionary capabilities.
Remote Monitoring: Early Success Stories
Primary care providers welcomed the idea of wireless remote monitoring, noting its potential for early intervention when symptoms arise and for empowering patients in the monitoring process. Dr. Suzanne Falck M.D., an associate professor of internal medicine, highlighted the success of remote monitoring in the management of heart failure. When data from an implanted sensor is transmitted directly to a healthcare professional, they can advise patients about medications, lifestyle modifications, clinic visits, or emergency room recommendations. Clinical trials have shown that, compared to conventional management, remote monitoring significantly reduces hospitalizations in patients with cardiovascular implantable devices, such as implantable defibrillators.
Mobile Apps Gaining Popularity
As smartphone and tablet ownership in the U.S. continues to grow, mHealth apps have the potential to revolutionize chronic disease management. With about 259,000 apps available, approximately half are targeted at consumers with chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, chronic heart disease, and depression. Diabetes management is viewed as the therapy field with the most potential for these apps, as proven by clinical trials indicating reduced HbA1c levels in patients who used a monitoring app.
While many patients struggle to manage their chronic conditions with limited support, research indicates that apps can provide patients with the tools they need to better manage their disease, lower rates of complications, and prevent comorbidities.
The Future of Wearables
Wearable technology is expected to bring exciting developments in the realm of digital health. Driven by advances in portable cardiac monitors, EKGs, sleep cycle analyzers, and glucose monitors, these devices hold the promise of vastly improving access to care, increasing convenience, and boosting compliance with diagnostic tests. Wearable technology can offer real-time results to healthcare professionals worldwide, providing a new dimension in medical consultations and expert advice.
Addressing Barriers to Access
Although digital health technologies show remarkable potential, concerns about technological accessibility for underserved populations and the aging population persist. Challenges include the high cost of devices and insufficient digital literacy, particularly among low-income families, seniors, and non-English speakers. To overcome these barriers, healthcare providers and developers must make technology user-friendly and accessible.
Embracing Change in Digital Health
New technology should meet three fundamental requirements: simplicity, ease-of-use, and learnability. Frustration or complexity could discourage both healthcare professionals and patients from adopting new tools. By setting clear expectations for how technology will work and actively informing patients about temporary changes to routines, providers and staff can minimize resistance to change. Framing technological integration as a means to improve long-term healthcare goals can help encourage widespread adoption.
For internal medicine specialists, new technology is worthwhile only if it enhances the patient-physician experience without adding unnecessary work or slowing down workflow. Widely embracing digital health technology, despite its challenges, promises to usher in a new era of personalized, convenient, and effective healthcare for chronic disease management.
- In the context of chronic disease management, primary care providers are considering the use of devices like FitBits, as they believe these wearables, combined with remote monitoring and mobile health apps, could empower patients and transform their lives.
- With the increasing popularity of mobile apps, approximately half of the 259,000 apps available are targeted at consumers with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, offering them the tools needed to better manage their diseases.
- As wearable technology advances, expect to see portable cardiac monitors, EKGs, sleep cycle analyzers, and glucose monitors becoming more common. These devices have the potential to significantly improve access to care, increase convenience, and boost compliance with diagnostic tests.
- While digital health technologies show great potential, issues of technological accessibility for underserved populations and the elderly remain a concern. To overcome these barriers, healthcare providers and developers must make technology user-friendly and accessible, ensuring its ease of use for all patients.
