Devices & Diagnostics, Health IT, Hospitals, Patient Engagement

Could this study finally settle one mHealth, data-sharing debate?

The push for regular interaction between patients and doctors, for mHealth and for data transparency […]

The push for regular interaction between patients and doctors, for mHealth and for data transparency has only begun. But the results from Scripps Translational Science Institute‘s research may add even more fuel to the flame for mHealth and patient engagement. The organization will study whether integrating wireless, medtech and social networks can bring down the cost of care for patients with chronic conditions, specifically diabetes, heart arrhythmia and high blood pressure, Scripps announced in a press release.

If they can lower the cost of care, the number of regular visits and so on, it would be a boon for mHealth (and the already growing wireless device industry).

The study, which will span six months and have about 200 participants (who are employees or affiliates of Scripps), will use  Withings Blood Pressure Monitors, AliveCor Heart Monitors and iBGStar Blood Glucose Meters. Scripps has partnered with Qualcomm Life, which will provide the data delivery platform; HealthComp, which will monitor the health status of patients; and Accenture.

“We are excited to embark on one of the first robust, cross-industry studies using multiple mobile medical sensors to determine whether we can lower health care costs and resource consumption through wireless health technology,” said Dr.  Eric Topol, director of the STSI and chief academic officer of Scripps Health.

“The data will enable us to assess whether patients who actively track their health conditions through mobile devices and interact with their health care team through a web portal will have more success managing their health conditions and, as a result, spend fewer health care dollars,” said Cinnamon  Bloss, director of social sciences and bioethics at STSI.

 

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