2. Support for lifestyle modifications. An American Diabetes Association study found that digital health tools can help patients lose weight, lower blood pressure and follow other healthy behaviors that can curb diabetes. Patients can even connect with support groups from their own homes, sharing fitness and nutritional advice to improve wellness.
3. Patient engagement. Compliance with treatment plans can make or break a patient’s improvement. Telehealth especially in combination with connected devices enables patients to participate in their own care from home and allows clinicians to remotely observe a diabetic’s condition and progress – helping the patient stay on track.
4. Depression treatment. People with diabetes are at least twice as likely to suffer from depression as non-diabetics. Often the link between diabetes and depression functions as a cycle, with low blood sugar creating a feeling of malaise and lethargy that can then contribute to poor eating habits, lack of exercise and self-neglect. Behavioral health counselors and coaches can virtually treat depression and encourage lifestyle changes.
5. Preventive programs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is trying to stop at-risk people from developing type 2 diabetes through their National Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPP). The program offers group sessions that focus on long-term dietary change, increased exercise and weight control strategies. Telehealth helps providers deliver DPP programs to rural areas without specialized diabetes expertise. Coordinators can share online patient education materials and measure each participant’s physical activity and weight loss progress.
6. Cost control. Diabetes imposes a staggering economic burden on our healthcare system. The American Diabetes Association estimated that the cost of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. hit $327 billion in 2017, with reduced productivity costing another $90 billion. As Dr. Marrero said, “If you think our healthcare system is stressed now and that the costs are exacerbated, put another 40 to 50 million people with diabetes into the mix, and we’ll be in very deep trouble.”
Opening a virtual door to diabetes care Recently 19 U.S. senators asked CMS and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to reimburse telemedicine services to improve outcomes for Americans at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Their letter stated, “A Medicare beneficiary’s access to the life-improving program should not, and cannot, be determined solely by the zip code in which he or she lives.” That’s actually the telemedicine philosophy for all healthcare needs for all patients. So the fact that more leaders are seeing virtual care’s benefits, regardless of specialty, is a positive for patients, especially those with special needs or who live in rural areas.
