VIDEO: Health advisers boost type 2 diabetes adherence

BOSTON – A company that partners patients and health advisers claims to help patients with type 2 diabetes to manage their symptoms and lower their HbA_1c levels.

The Pack Health program connects each patient with a health adviser, who contacts them five times a week using a mix of phone calls, text messages, and emails. The goals include helping patients to find clinicians in their area, make appointments, and adhere to treatment, Dhiren Patel, PharmD, medical director at Pack Health, said at the annual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

In a prospective study of 756 type 2 diabetes patients, traditional modes of communication with a health coach were associated with a 1% decrease in HbA_1c within 3 months and the reduction was maintained at 1 year. Patients lost an average of 5 pounds, and annual eye and foot exams increased by 17% and 19%, respectively.

Similar remote health coach initiatives are being used to help other patients with chronic health conditions as part of the Pack Health services, which Dr. Patel discussed in a video interview.

ezimmerman@mdedge.com

SOURCE: Patel D et al. AACE 2018. Abstract 1209.

BOSTON – A company that partners patients and health advisers claims to help patients with type 2 diabetes to manage their symptoms and lower their HbA_1c levels.

The Pack Health program connects each patient with a health adviser, who contacts them five times a week using a mix of phone calls, text messages, and emails. The goals include helping patients to find clinicians in their area, make appointments, and adhere to treatment, Dhiren Patel, PharmD, medical director at Pack Health, said at the annual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

In a prospective study of 756 type 2 diabetes patients, traditional modes of communication with a health coach were associated with a 1% decrease in HbA_1c within 3 months and the reduction was maintained at 1 year. Patients lost an average of 5 pounds, and annual eye and foot exams increased by 17% and 19%, respectively.

Similar remote health coach initiatives are being used to help other patients with chronic health conditions as part of the Pack Health services, which Dr. Patel discussed in a video interview.

ezimmerman@mdedge.com

SOURCE: Patel D et al. AACE 2018. Abstract 1209.

BOSTON – A company that partners patients and health advisers claims to help patients with type 2 diabetes to manage their symptoms and lower their HbA_1c levels.

The Pack Health program connects each patient with a health adviser, who contacts them five times a week using a mix of phone calls, text messages, and emails. The goals include helping patients to find clinicians in their area, make appointments, and adhere to treatment, Dhiren Patel, PharmD, medical director at Pack Health, said at the annual meeting of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

In a prospective study of 756 type 2 diabetes patients, traditional modes of communication with a health coach were associated with a 1% decrease in HbA_1c within 3 months and the reduction was maintained at 1 year. Patients lost an average of 5 pounds, and annual eye and foot exams increased by 17% and 19%, respectively.

Similar remote health coach initiatives are being used to help other patients with chronic health conditions as part of the Pack Health services, which Dr. Patel discussed in a video interview.

ezimmerman@mdedge.com

SOURCE: Patel D et al. AACE 2018. Abstract 1209.