The impact of using mobile-enabled devices on patient engagement in remote monitoring programs.

BACKGROUND: Different types of data transmission technologies are used in remote monitoring (RM) programs. This study reports on a retrospective analysis of how participants engage, based on the type of data transfer technology used in a blood pressure (BP) RM program, and its potential impact on RM program design and outcomes. METHODS: Thirty patients, aged 23-84 years (62 ± 14 years), who had completed at least 2 months in the program and were not participating in any other clinical trial were identified from the Remote Monitoring Data Repository. Half of these patients used wireless-based data transfer devices [wireless-based device (WBD)] while the other half used telephone modem-based data transfer devices [modem-based device (MBD)]. Participants were matched by practice and age. Engagement indices, which include frequency of BP measurements, frequency of data uploads, time to first BP measurement, and time to first data upload, were compared in both groups using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney two-sample rank-sum test. Help desk call data were analyzed by Chi square test. RESULTS: The frequency of BP measurements and data uploads was significantly higher in the WBD group versus the MBD group [median = 0.66 versus 0.2 measurements/day (p = .01) and 0.46 versus 0.01 uploads/day (p < .001), respectively]. Time to first upload was significantly lower in the WBD group (median = 4 versus 7 days; p = .02), but time to first BP measurement did not differ between the two groups (median = 2 versus 1 day; p = .98). CONCLUSION: Wireless transmission ensures instantaneous transmission of readings, providing clinicians timely data to intervene on. Our findings suggest that mobile-enabled wireless technologies can positively impact patient engagement, outcomes, and operational workflow in RM programs.

Partners HealthCare Center for Connected Health.

This article reviews the history, current status, and future plans of the Partners HealthCare Center for Connected Health (the Center). Established in 1995 by Harvard Medical School teaching hospitals, the Center develops strategies to move healthcare from the hospital and doctor's office into the day-to-day lives of patients. It leverages information technology to help manage chronic conditions, maintain health and wellness, and improve adherence to prescribed regimen, patient engagement, and clinical outcomes. Since inception, it has served over 30,000 patients. The Center's core functions include videoconference-based real-time virtual visits, home vital sign monitoring, store-and-forward online consultations, social media, mobile technology, and other novel methods of providing care and enabling health and wellness remotely and independently of traditional time and geographic constraints. It offers a wide range of services, programs, and research activities. The Center comprises over 40 professionals with various technical and professional skills. Internally within Partners HealthCare, the role of the Center is to collaborate, guide, advise, and support the experimentation with and the deployment and growth of connected health technologies, programs, and services. Annually, the Center engages in a deliberative planning process to guide its annual research and operational agenda. The Center enjoys a diversified revenue stream. Funding sources include institutional operating budget/research funds from Partners HealthCare, public and private competitive grants and contracts, philanthropic contributions, ad hoc funding arrangements, and longer-term contractual arrangements with third parties.

Evaluating a web-based self-management program for employees with hypertension and prehypertension: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Web-based self-management programs offer a novel approach for self-insured employers seeking to improve and maintain employee health. METHODS: We conducted a 6-month prospective, cluster-randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate whether worksite access to an automated, web-based, self-management program resulted in better blood pressure control. The trial was conducted at 6 EMC Corporation worksites in Massachusetts, each of which had at least 600 employees; 404 EMC employees with pre-hypertension or hypertension participated. Participants at 3 worksites received a home blood pressure cuff that uploaded readings to a Web site where they could view trends and read automated rules-based messages. Participants at 3 worksites received access to an onsite blood pressure cuff. Primary outcome measure was change in systolic blood pressure. Secondary outcome measures were change in diastolic blood pressure, proportion of participants achieving significant changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and subject satisfaction. RESULTS: Although the mean change in systolic blood pressure was not significantly different between intervention and control groups (-1.69 vs. -0.86 mm HG, respectively, P = .49) the change in diastolic blood pressure between groups was significant. (-1.08 vs. = 1.47 mm HG, respectively, P < .001). Significantly more intervention participants experienced a >10-mm Hg decrease in systolic blood pressure or >5-mm Hg decrease in diastolic blood pressure compared to controls (22% vs 17%, P = .02 and 29% vs 16%, P = .03, respectively). Intervention participants were twice as likely to report starting a new medication (P = .02) and more likely to report improved communication with their doctor (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Participation in an automated online self-management program resulted in improved blood pressure among employees with prehypertension or hypertension.

Prevention of weight gain following a worksite nutrition and exercise program: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Many employers are now providing wellness programs to help employees make changes in diet and exercise behaviors. Improving health outcomes and reducing costs will depend on whether employees sustain lifestyle changes and maintain a healthy weight over time. PURPOSE: To determine if a 9-month maintenance intervention immediately following a 10-week worksite exercise and nutrition program would prevent regain of the weight lost during the program. DESIGN: RCT. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: In 2008, a total of 330 employees from 24 teams completed a 10-week exercise and nutrition program at a large hospital worksite and were randomized by team to maintenance or control (usual care) for 9 months. INTERVENTION: Internet support with a website for goal-setting and self-monitoring of weight and exercise plus minimal personal support. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight loss, percentage weight loss, time spent in physical activity, and frequency of consumption of fruits/vegetables, fatty foods, and sugary foods at 1 year compared to baseline. One-year follow-up was completed in 2010, and data were analyzed in 2011. RESULTS: At 1 year, 238 subjects (72%) completed follow-up assessments. Mean baseline BMI was 27.6 and did not differ between intervention and control. Compared to baseline, both groups lost weight during the 10-week program and maintained 65% of weight loss at 1 year (p<0.001). There was no difference in weight loss between groups at the end of the 10-week program (4.8 lbs vs 4.3 lbs, p=0.53 for group X time interaction) or end of maintenance at 1 year (3.4 lbs vs 2.5 lbs, p=0.40 for group X time interaction). All subjects had improvements in physical activity and nutrition (increased fruits/vegetables and decreased fat and sugar intake) at 1 year but did not differ by group. CONCLUSIONS: An intensive 10-week team-based worksite exercise and nutrition program resulted in moderate weight loss and improvements in diet and exercise behaviors at 1 year, but an Internet-based maintenance program immediately following the 10-week program did not improve these outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov NCT00707577.

Diabetes connect: an evaluation of patient adoption and engagement in a web-based remote glucose monitoring program.

BACKGROUND: We determine whether Diabetes Connect (DC), a Web-based diabetes self-management program, can help patients effectively manage their diabetes and improve clinical outcomes. METHODS: Diabetes Connect is a 12-month program that allows patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to upload their blood glucose readings to a database, monitor trends, and share their data with their providers. To examine the impact of the program, we analyzed patient utilization and engagement data, clinical outcomes, as well as qualitative feedback from current and potential users through focus groups. RESULTS: We analyzed 75 out of 166 patients. Mean age was 61 years (range 27-87). Patients engaged in DC had an average hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) change of 1.5%, while nonengaged patients had a HbA1c change of 0.4% (p = .05). Patients with the best outcomes (HbAlc decline of at least 0.8%) typically took less than 10 days to upload, while patients with the worst outcomes (a rise in HbAlc) took an average of 65 days to upload. Patients with more engaged providers had a better HbA1c change (1.39% versus 0.87%) for practices with an average of 74 versus 30 logins/providers. CONCLUSIONS: Patient engagement in the program has a positive impact on the outcomes of this collaborative Web-based diabetes self-management tool. Patients who engage early and remain active have better clinical outcomes than unengaged patients. Provider engagement, too, was found critical in engaging patients in DC.