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Top 5 Most-Read Digital Health Content in 2023
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The most-read articles in digital health covered improved outcomes, patient management, and reduced cost of care in telehealth and app-based care.
The most-read digital health articles on AJMC.com in 2023 included stories on improved patient outcomes, patient management, and reduced costs associated with virtual health care.
These are the top 5 digital health articles in 2023.
5. App Improves Disease Control Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis
A multicenter study found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who reported clinical information via a smart system of disease (SSDM) app had an increased rate of disease control. The study, conducted in 22 tertiary hospitals across China, enrolled 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 with the control group, with a further increase in disease control seen in the SSDM group at the 12-month mark. The use of digital health applications for disease monitoring and intervention was found to be effective in improving RA management.
4. Diabetes App Linked With Reduction in All-Cause HCRU, Inpatient Hospitalization Rates
A retrospective cohort study presented at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) 2023 meeting reported that utilizing the digital health application Dario Diabetes Solution (DDS) resulted in a significantly greater reduction in all-cause health care resource utilization (HCRU) and inpatient hospitalization rates during a 1-year follow-up compared with nonusers who received usual care. DDS is a mobile app developed for type 2 diabetes management, combining a blood glucose meter and mobile app for real-time tracking of glucose levels. The study included 9779 patients, and DDS users demonstrated a 9.3% lower HCRU rate and a 23.5% lower inpatient hospitalization rate compared with nonusers.
3. The Value of Virtual Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Care
This study published in the June issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) aimed to estimate the economic benefits of evidence-based patient-initiated virtual physical therapy (PIVPT) services among a nationally representative sample of commercially insured patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. Using a counterfactual simulation model, the study evaluated direct medical care savings and indirect cost savings resulting from PIVPT, focusing on aspects such as rapid access to physical therapy, improved adherence to treatment, lower cost of PT care, and reduced/avoided referral costs. The findings suggest that PIVPT brings added value to MSK care by facilitating earlier access, better adherence, and lowering the cost of PT.
2. Economics of a Health System’s Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine for Its Employees
This retrospective cohort study published in the June issue of AJMC aimed to compare the mean per-episode unit cost for a direct-to-consumer (DTC) telemedicine service (OnDemand) with in-person care and assessed whether the service increased care utilization. The study focused on adult employees and dependents of a large academic health system. The findings suggest that DTC telemedicine, when offered directly to employees by an academic health system, resulted in lower per-episode unit costs within 7 days and only marginally increased service utilization, indicating overall cost savings.
1. Frequent Smokers Ambivalent About Quitting May Be More Receptive to Tailored Interventions
A pilot study suggests that a tailored mobile health app could be effective for frequent smokers who are ambivalent about quitting. The small study, involving 57 participants, revealed that individuals who used a novel app designed specifically for ambivalent smokers exhibited greater behavioral changes compared with those using a nontailored app. The study included participants less likely to engage in smoking cessation practices, such as those of lower socioeconomic status and heavy smokers.
