Clinical Research Demonstrates Structured Support of RPM Can Lower a1c Levels

Many diabetic patients already take blood sugar readings on a daily basis. With the rapid increase in the adoption of telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), many studies are investigating if utilizing RPM to share patient blood glucose levels with clinicians can lead to lower A1C levels.

Research Supports the Role of Remote Patient Monitoring in Reducing A1C for Diabetic Patients

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) provides instantaneous access to blood glucose data before and after patient meals and activities. This creates a complete feedback loop for collecting and analyzing data, adjusting behaviors, and modifying treatment to improve outcomes.

RPM enables more data analysis, structured health coaching, and timely interventions that lead to better A1C management than patient self-monitoring. In addition to improving treatment outcomes in diabetic patients, studies have indicated RPM can boost prevention in pre-diabetic patients.

We understand that healthcare providers need to direct their limited resources to programs that have been clinically proven to positively impact patient outcomes. As such, we compiled and synthesized fifteen (15) studies that scientifically demonstrate how RPM can help diabetic and pre-diabetic patients.

Highlights of the Research Include:

• Telemedicine is effective for improving HbA1c and thus, glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition, telemedicine interventions were also found to significantly improve other health outcomes such as quality of life.
• Clinical trials that incorporated study elements, such as patient education, provider education, patient goals, feedback, interactive communication, and shared decision making, consistently achieved significant A1C improvements.
• Studies using 6-month "real-time video" interventions found an HbA1c decrease of -1.15%.
• An eHealth model incorporating a complete feedback loop with telehealth remote monitoring and paired glucose testing with asynchronous data analysis significantly improved A(1c) levels compared to traditional care.
• Results suggest that a virtual DPP [Diabetes Prevention Program, including RPM weight scale] can change the pattern of utilization and reduce medical and pharmacy costs.

Consistent Results with Optimize Health Outcomes

Optimize Health’s clients using Remote Patient Monitoring to manage blood glucose have produced results consistent with the clinical research. Diabetic patients have experienced an average 11-point reduction in blood glucose measurements in just 2 months and a 20-point drop within 12 months.

How to Use the RPM Diabetes Research

Physicians and ordering providers rely on the results of clinical research studies every day to make patient care decisions. If you have an existing RPM program or are considering launching one, these studies can be used to:

• Educate physicians on the clinical benefits of RPM
• Justify the investment of staff time and practice resources into launching or maintaining an RPM program
• Improve RPM patient identification and onboarding based on patient populations that can benefit from RPM
  
  

Ready to Learn More?

If you want to talk to an RPM expert about the clinical - and financial - benefits of RPM, please schedule a free consultation.