The organization used CareSmarts, an mHealth diabetes program that sends automated text messages to help diabetics better manage their disease. Participants received reminders to check their blood sugar or refill medications, and program nurses were available to follow up with patients based on their responses to the messages. Researches compared outcomes in the form of glycemic levels as well as cost utilization in the employees that chose to participate in the program with employees that chose not to participate.
Following the six-month intervention, control of HbA1c had improved in the experimental group, dropping from an average of 7.9 percent to 7.2 percent. Among participations with previously poorly controlled diabetes, levels dropped from 10.3 percent to 8.5 percent on average. Additionally, the number and cost of outpatient visits declined among program participants, resulting in a net cost saving of $437 per participant, or an 8.8 percent decline over pre-intervention levels. Participants also reported being highly satisfied with the text messaging program.
More Articles on mHealth:
Apple to Expand Foray Into Mobile Health
10 Biggest Technological Advancements for Healthcare in the Last Decade
6 Statistics on the Use of mHealth
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.