CareFirst and WellDoc Communications Collaborate to Help Diabetes
Patients Better Manage Their Condition
260 Diabetes Patients Will Be Enrolled in Clinical Trial Using
WellDoc Communication's Diabetes Management Program
BALTIMORE (Business Wire EON) April 23, 2008 --
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and WellDoc Communications, Inc., a
technology-based healthcare company focused on improving diabetes
management, today announced the companies are sponsoring a 12-month
randomized clinical trial with 260 patients with Type
2 diabetes. The trial, which uses WellDoc's web- and cell
phone-based diabetes management platform, focuses on helping CareFirst
members manage the full spectrum of their disease, including blood
glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, lifestyle, self-management and
other critical components required to optimize their diabetes management.
The primary goal of the trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of the
WellDoc system in reducing patients' hemoglobin A1c - or HbA1c, a
measure of blood sugar control. By targeting reduced HbA1c, WellDoc's
system improves patient outcomes, including reducing a patient's risks
for a heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and other
conditions often associated with diabetes patients and increased HbA1c
levels. These improved patient outcomes may significantly reduce the
cost of patient care.
WellDoc's cell phone-based diabetes management software allows patients
to securely provide data and receive real-time feedback on how to manage
their condition. In addition, providers receive analyzed patient data
with suggested action plans to improve patient outcomes.
“We are excited to provide our members with
the ability to better manage their diabetes by utilizing a device they
use everyday - their cell phone,” said Jon
Shematek, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer of
CareFirst. “Our focus is two-fold. First, it
is to help patients and providers optimize diabetes management; and
second, it's to reduce the costs associated with diabetes care.”
The study is being conducted at the University of Maryland School of
Medicine under the direction of Charlene Quinn, Ph.D., R.N. Dr. Quinn,
the principal investigator and an assistant professor of epidemiology
and preventive medicine, said: “It's great to
see WellDoc's technology expand beyond pilot testing to larger scale
applications. The company's initial solution has shown tremendous
promise.”
In its initial pilot study, patients who used the WellDoc system
experienced a two-point HbA1c drop on average, within 90 days.
“Immediate feedback for patients with diabetes
can dramatically impact how they manage their disease,”
said Suzanne Clough, M.D., chief medical officer of WellDoc
Communications. “Our system captures the
teachable moment by providing patients with the information they need to
better manage their health. It's not just for patients; we also support
healthcare providers by presenting them with analyzed patient data and
the latest evidence-based guidelines with recommendations for optimal
patient management.”
The study is open to doctors and patients outside of CareFirst's network
and membership.
About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
In its 71st year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care
company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a
comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative
services to 3.2 million individuals and groups in the District of
Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Through its CareFirst
Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst
supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety
and quality of health care throughout its market areas. For more
information, visit www.carefirst.com.
About WellDoc Communications, Inc.
Founded in 2005 by an endocrinologist, WellDoc Communications, Inc., is
focused on simplifying the way diabetes is managed through a
collaborative, life-changing approach that breaks down the barriers of
engagement and compliance by providing patients with real-time,
actionable information. WellDoc has developed an industry-leading,
technology-based solution that helps people with diabetes better manage
their conditions. For more information, visit www.welldoc-communications.com.
KEYWORDS: american diabetes association, diabetes, diabetes type
2, type 2 diabetes, what is type 2 diabetes
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