Diabetes Care & Education Reimagined

I am looking forward to the upcoming Team Management of Diabetes annual conference hosted by the University of Maryland in Baltimore on October 4, 2019 from 7:30 AM – 4:45 PM. I will be speaking in the afternoon on Incorporating Digital Heath in Clinical Practice: Technology-Enabled Diabetes Population Health. 

We are witnessing the rapidly expanding role of digital health in diabetes care with a growing suite of connected devices gathering data putting the person with diabetes (PWD) at the center (finally) and empowering them to be more active participants in their care (1).  

But all that data is not enough, we need software to make that data useful The data from various connected devices must be integrated and analyzed, providing individualized guidance and support for the PWD during the time they are away from their care team and a way to share the data and communicate with their care team whenever needed.

But even that is not enough. We also need innovative care teams integrating these technology tools and the resulting data into their evolving practice models. 

On Friday we will be discussing how diabetes care teams, have a golden opportunity to lead in building technology-enabled, data-driven diabetes care and education services in multiple practice settings to expand access, reach and effectiveness of their practice. This includes the use of the growing suite of connected devices including connected glucose monitoring devices, smart insulin pens, pumps, fitness trackers, blood pressure and heart rate monitors, weight scales, etc. 

The hallmarks of a data-driven practice include the following:

1.      Through shared decision making, identify the right technology tools for each PWD as a standard of care (for some PWD, this might be pen and paper).

2.      Configure the technology tool to match the routine, lifestyle and therapy plan of the individual, e.g. personalized insulin therapy settings, meal schedule adjusted to person’s daily routine, plan for sharing data.   

3.      Use the data collaboratively on an ongoing basis with the patient to optimize care – the diabetes care and education specialist is expert at using data and can lead the care team in using both patient and population level data.   

It is where all of this comes together that we are able to provide individualized evidence-based care to entire populations in a scalable, cost effective manner, that is, technology-enabled, data-driven, clinically linked care (population health). Enabling us to pivot from providing care to the one to the many. From scheduled, time bound encounters, to data-driven, brief, on demand encounters. The right care at the right time for the right person. 

This requires a major shift in how we think and how we practice.  It will not be easy. There will be growing pains and missteps along the way. I appreciate the opportunity to have these discussions as part of this important annual meeting that by the very title recognizes the vital role of the care team in diabetes management. Come join us and share your ideas and ask your questions. It will take all of us including and especially the most important member of the care team, the PWD to reimagine diabetes care and education.  

References:

1.  AADE 2019 Poster Presentation: “Digital Therapeutics and Data Driven Diabetes Care Services” – LaurieAnn Scher, Janice MacLeod AADE Members access poster on DANA  Data Driven Diabetes Care AADE19 Poster