The most read digital health articles on AJMC.com in 2023 included stories about improved patient outcomes, patient management and reduced costs associated with virtual health care.
These are the top 5 digital health articles in 2023.
5. Application improves disease control outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis
A multicenter study found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who reported clinical information through a smart disease system (SSDM) application had an increased rate of disease control. The study, conducted in 22 tertiary care hospitals in China, included 2197 RA patients and compared the effectiveness of SSDM with conventional medical care over a 6-month period. The SSDM group demonstrated a higher rate of achieving disease control at the 6-month mark compared to the control group, with further increases in disease control observed in the SSDM group at the 12-month mark. The use of digital health applications for disease monitoring and intervention has been found to be effective in improving the management of RA.
Read the article here.
4. Diabetes application associated with reductions in HCRU all-cause hospital admissions
A retrospective cohort study presented at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) 2023 meeting reported that use of the Dario Diabetes Solution (DDS) digital health application resulted in significantly greater reductions in resource utilization for all-cause health care units (HCRU) and hospital readmission rates during 1-year follow-up compared with nonusers who received usual care. DDS is a mobile application developed for the management of type 2 diabetes, combining a glucometer and a mobile application for real-time tracking of glucose levels. The study included 9,779 patients, and DDS users demonstrated a 9.3% lower HCRU rate and a 23.5% lower inpatient hospitalization rate compared to nonusers.
Read the article here.
3. The value of virtual physiotherapy for musculoskeletal care
This study, published in the June issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) aimed to evaluate the economic benefits of evidence-based patient-initiated virtual physical therapy (PIVPT) services among a nationally representative sample of commercially insured patients with musculoskeletal disorders (MSK). Using a comparative simulation model, the study estimated direct medical care savings and indirect cost savings resulting from PIVPT, focusing on aspects such as rapid access to physical therapy, improved treatment adherence, lower PT care costs, and reduced/avoided costs for forwarding. Findings suggest that PIVPT brings added value to MSK care by facilitating earlier access, better adherence, and lowering the cost of PT.
Read the article here.
2. Economics of telemedicine directly to the users of the health system for its employees
This retrospective cohort study, published in the June issue of AJMC aimed to compare the average cost per unit episode of a direct-to-consumer (DTC) telemedicine service (OnDemand) with in-person care and assess whether the service increased care utilization. The study focused on elderly employees and dependents of a large academic health system. Findings suggest that DTC telemedicine, when offered directly to employees by an academic health system, resulted in lower unit costs per episode within 7 days and only marginally increased service utilization, indicating an overall cost savings.
Read the article here.
1. Regular smokers with ambivalent attitudes toward quitting may be more receptive to tailored interventions
A pilot study suggests that a personalized mobile health app may be effective for frequent smokers who are ambivalent about quitting. The small study, involving 57 participants, found that people who used a new app designed specifically for smokers with dual attitudes showed greater changes in behavior than those who used a non-personalized app. The study included participants who were less likely to engage in smoking cessation practices, such as those of lower socioeconomic status and heavy smokers.
Read the article here.
