Will a mobile app become a standard part of diabetes care?

In a recent study published in Diabetes Care (July 25, 2011), researchers found that "the combination of behavioral mobile coaching with blood glucose data, lifestyle behaviors, and patient self-management data individually analyzed and presented with evidence-based guidelines to providers substantially reduced glycated hemoglobin levels over 1 year."

Does this mean that mobile apps may become an integrated part of diabetes care? In the Mobile Diabetes Intervention Study, patients in the study group had access to the WellDoc DiabetesManager solution. Perhaps managed care organizations will evaluate the return on investment associated with such creative digital solutions for their members.

Here's a brief description of the WellDoc solution:

This fall, WellDoc is commercializing the WellDoc DiabetesManager®, the first mHealth solution cleared by the FDA to provide automated, real-time behavioral patient coaching and clinical decision support for their doctors. Powered by the WellDoc Automated Expert Analytics System™, the software-based system redefines existing conventions of diabetes management for people with type 2 diabetes, providing support to their healthcare providers to extend their care beyond traditional office visits. The WellDoc DiabetesManager is indicated for use by healthcare providers and their adult patients with type 2 diabetes, and is not intended to replace the care provided by a licensed healthcare professional, including prescriptions, diagnosis, or treatment.