Evaluating telehealth options for chronic disease management
Telehealth programs, including digital health coaching and remote patient monitoring, are increasingly being used, especially for those who otherwise have limited access to in-person health care. However, more information is needed to demonstrate which option — or a combination of these interventions — is the most effective and how they affect long-term outcomes among those with physical disabilities and multiple chronic conditions.
The AD2OPT trial will randomly divide qualified participants into three groups to test different interventions for six months.
Those receiving remote patient monitoring (RPM), will have a health care team checking and managing their blood sugar remotely. To make this easier for participants, they will be provided the necessary devices and a mobile WiFi data plan to transmit the data, eliminating the need for internet connectivity. If a patient’s blood sugar remains elevated for a long period of time, a registered nurse and health care provider will offer guidance and support.
A second group will receive digital health coaching, which involves one-on-one weekly phone calls with a health coach. This approach offers personalized support and guidance for participants on managing type 2 diabetes, including advice on nutrition, exercise, and taking medications.
Finally, a third group will receive a combination of both the remote patient monitoring and digital health coaching programs.
UAB’s study was selected through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Funding Announcement focused on research comparing different approaches to incorporating access to and use of telehealth in primary care to improve outcomes among individuals with multiple chronic conditions.
This multisite trial will partner with health systems across the Deep South — UAB, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and LSU Health.
Principal Investigator: Tapan Mehta, Ph.D.
PCORI is an independent, nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed health care decisions.
Research reported on this page was funded through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Award (TE-2023C3-34949). The statements on this page are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), its Board of Governors or Methodology Committee.