WellDoc, a healthcare behavioral science
and technology company whose products improve the lives of people with chronic
diseases, today released new data from a study first published last fall in Diabetes
Care. The additional analysis “Mobile Diabetes Intervention for Glycemic
Control: Impact on Physician Prescribing Behavior,” will be highlighted during
a poster presentation at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 72nd
Scientific Sessions, held June 8-12 in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania
Convention Center.
The new data from study lead investigator Charlene
C. Quinn, R.N., Ph.D., University of Maryland School of Medicine, et al.
assessed the impact on physicians’ medication management when patients used a Mobile
Diabetes Intervention System (MDIS), and physicians used the associated
Clinical Decision Support.
The cluster-randomized controlled trial (RCT) included 163
patients and 26 primary care practices assigned to treatment groups or a
control group (usual care) for one year. For this analysis, physicians who used
the WellDoc Clinical Decision Support (seven practices) nearly doubled the
number of medication changes they made for their patients vs. those who
provided usual care alone (66.5 percent of treatment group patients experienced
medication changes versus 36.4 percent in the usual care group). The one year
parent RCT, reported in Diabetes Care, 2011, found that the virtual patient
coach portion of the WellDoc solution reduced A1c on average by 1.5 percent and
that when physicians utilized the clinical decision support the A1c was further
reduced by approximately 30 percent, or a total of 1.9 percent. These results
were significant compared to the 0.7 percent A1c reduction for control group.
A1c levels are considered the gold-standard measure for diabetes control and
reductions in A1c have been shown to directly reduce the number of
complications and costs incurred by a person with diabetes.
“Our research shows that this mobile diabetes study intervention
impacted how physicians manage medications for their diabetes patients,” said
Dr. Quinn. “The WellDoc intervention provided a patient-centric care solution
that impacted medication therapy management at the provider level, while
simultaneously supporting other key aspects of diabetes self-management, such
as glucose testing, diet, and exercise.”
“Last year, WellDoc
announced the primary endpoint data showing a significant reduction in A1c
levels. Today, as we dig deeper into the study data it has become eye-opening
how mobile health can not only change patient behavior but also provide doctors
with the support and information they need to optimize the treatment plans of
their type 2 diabetes patients,” said Ryan Sysko, founder and chief executive
officer, WellDoc.
WellDoc’s diabetes product is the only mHealth solution
cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide real time,
automated clinical and behavioral patient coaching combined with decision
support for the patient’s doctor. Type 2 diabetes affects 25.8 million
Americans, costing the United
States $174 billion in 2007. Only 12.2
percent of these people meet the standards of care for glucose, blood pressure
and lipid control.
About WellDoc
WellDoc®, a healthcare behavioral science and technology company that develops
solutions aimed at engaging patients and enhancing health outcomes, is focused
on simplifying the way chronic diseases are managed through a collaborative,
life-changing approach that breaks down the barriers of engagement and
adherence by providing patients and their healthcare providers with real-time,
actionable information. WellDoc has developed an industry-leading,
technology-based solution designed to help people with chronic diseases better
manage their conditions. In 2011, Forbes editors selected WellDoc as one of “America’s Most
Promising Companies” based on its potential for future growth. For more
information, visit www.welldoc.com.
