Analysis of the implementation of a personalized care model in diabetes mellitus as an example of chronic disease with information and communication technology support

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus affects 13.8% of the adult population in Spain, representing some 8.2% of total Spanish health spending, which may be reduced by optimizing treatment and disease monitoring.

Areas covered: This perspective article aims to evaluate the possible clinical and economic outcomes of implementing a theoretical personalized care model in diabetes supported by information and communications technology in Spain vs. conventional care. Moreover, we assessed the value of emminens® eConecta, a solution designed to support the operational implementation of this model, which enables the connection and participation of patients and health professionals, facilitates patient education, decision-making, access to information, and data analysis. We carried out a review of the available evidence, consultations with experts and a clinical and cost estimation.

Expert commentary: The experts consulted considered that the proposed model is consistent with Spanish strategies on chronicity, supports the management of chronicity/diabetes, and may improve the most important aspects of disease management. In the literature, this type of care models improved or provided equal disease control compared with conventional care, potentiated self-management strategies and reduced the high use of resources. Cost estimation showed a reduction of −12% in total direct costs and around −34% in the costs of outpatient visits.

KEYWORDS:

• Chronicity
• diabetes mellitus
• patient centred management
• web-based programs
• Spain

Declaration of interest

N López-Martínez works for Oblikue Consulting which received funding for the study from the sponsor. JL Segú works for Oblikue Consulting which received funding for the study from the sponsor. J Vázquez-Castro received an honorarium from the sponsor for participation in an advisory board. He participated as an independent consultant. M Brosa works for Oblikue Consulting which received funding for the study from the sponsor. L Bohigas is an employee of the sponsor (emminens® Healthcare Services). MJ Comellas is an employee of the sponsor (emminens® Healthcare Services). L Kalfhaus is an employee of the sponsor (emminens® Healthcare Services). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here

Additional information

Funding

This study received funding from emminens® Healthcare Services, a Roche Group company.

Notes on contributors

N. López-Martínez

LB, MJC, LK, JV, JLS, MB and NLM contributed to the design of the study, and the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data. NL and JLS were involved in the drafting of the article. LB, MJC, LK, JV and MB critically revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the article.

J.L. Segú

LB, MJC, LK, JV, JLS, MB and NLM contributed to the design of the study, and the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data. NL and JLS were involved in the drafting of the article. LB, MJC, LK, JV and MB critically revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the article.

J. Vázquez-Castro

LB, MJC, LK, JV, JLS, MB and NLM contributed to the design of the study, and the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data. NL and JLS were involved in the drafting of the article. LB, MJC, LK, JV and MB critically revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the article.

M. Brosa

LB, MJC, LK, JV, JLS, MB and NLM contributed to the design of the study, and the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data. NL and JLS were involved in the drafting of the article. LB, MJC, LK, JV and MB critically revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the article.

L. Bohigas

LB, MJC, LK, JV, JLS, MB and NLM contributed to the design of the study, and the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data. NL and JLS were involved in the drafting of the article. LB, MJC, LK, JV and MB critically revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the article.

M.J. Comellas

LB, MJC, LK, JV, JLS, MB and NLM contributed to the design of the study, and the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data. NL and JLS were involved in the drafting of the article. LB, MJC, LK, JV and MB critically revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the article.

L. Kalfhaus

LB, MJC, LK, JV, JLS, MB and NLM contributed to the design of the study, and the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data. NL and JLS were involved in the drafting of the article. LB, MJC, LK, JV and MB critically revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the article.