Remote Patient Monitoring for Diabetes Management
A case can be made that diabetes patients were one of the first to use remote patient monitoring for diabetes management. Test strips have routinely been used at home to monitor blood glucose levels. In fact, 2021 is the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin.
Diabetes is a clinical condition in which the patient has higher level of glucose in the body due to the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin. Blood glucose monitoring devices are necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment as these devices measure the glucose level in the body.
Patients can measure the glucose levels in the comfort of their homes with the help of personal glucometers. Capturing this data from home allows patients to plan their diet, exercise, and stress management accordingly. Diabetes has become such a concern that the U.S. government has introduced initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of the benefits of diabetes preventive care. 1
Pandemic Pushed Diabetes Home Healthcare Management Forward
There is no disputing that telemedicine and RPM services spiked during the pandemic. During a press conference at the American Diabetes Associations (ADA) 81st Scientific Sessions, a panel discussed the impact of diabetes management on telemedicine. “Telemedicine has been a lifeline during the pandemic,” according to Robert Gabbay, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer for ADA.
During the pandemic, continuous glucose monitoring technologies played a significant role in telemedicine. The COVID-19 outbreak adversely affected countries worldwide. Lockdown restrictions impacted the daily routine of diabetic patients such as eating patterns and physical conditions. Patients adopted a more sedentary lifestyle out of fear of personal interactions outside their household. These factors caused fluctuations in blood glucose level of patients which surged the demand for blood glucose monitoring devices. 2
Decrease the amount of time and energy spent on diabetes management
By utilizing remote patient monitoring services, patients spend more time on other activities since the system relieves some of the manual tasks of monitoring blood glucose. Finding new and better technologies to monitor and track glucose levels for diabetes sufferers is great, but only if consumers are comfortable using them. Education and ease-of-use are key components in achieving trust and implementation of these devices and services from new users. The right RPM partner can be a great resource as patients and providers begin to adopt these technologies.
Additional benefits of a Remote Patient Program include:
- Reduced hospital readmissions
- Improved patient outcomes
- Improved patient access to care
- Reduced spending and downstream costs
The United States blood glucose monitoring devices market is expected to witness significant growth for the next five years
Favorable reimbursement policies and high healthcare expenditure is expected to drive the United States blood glucose monitoring devices market through 2026. Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on research and development process to fuel higher growth in the market. To meet evolving customer demand with respect to better efficiency and durability, several blood glucose monitoring device manufacturers are coming up with technologically advanced offerings.
Consumers have shown a preference towards convenience and user-friendly technology, including wireless blood glucose monitoring devices, which can be connected with smart phones that use Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. These factors are expected to propel the growth of the market. 3
Healthcare Evolution
Healthcare is evolving, and the Covid Pandemic accelerated that evolution. Patients prefer having the freedom to manage their healthcare from home, while reducing or eliminating time-consuming trips to the doctor’s office. RPM empowers patients and allows them to take some ownership over their own care, along with assistance and guidance from a healthcare professional. Providers that will be the most sought after and successful will equip their patients with the tools they want in order to achieve dependable in-home healthcare.
By working together on remote patient monitoring for diabetes management, providers and patients can both reach their best outcomes.
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References
1What we know about new technologies for managing diabetes (and don’t) – Hospital News
2Diabetes Devices are a Powerful Force Behind Telemedicine Boom (mddionline.com)
3United States Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market to Grow (openpr.com)
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