NEWSLETTER
Second edition - February, 2024
Harnessing the potential of healthcare digitalisation
The digitalisation of healthcare systems, including new technologies, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), is a vital puzzle piece for the prevention, management and care of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension (HTN). Digital tools and solutions such as apps, telemedicine, and digital education services can ensure the delivery of more personalised care; support remote monitoring and self-management; provide access to knowledge, information and peer support. Digital tools and solutions can facilitate shared decision-making between professionals and patients, thus can enhance T2D and HTN care and management.
The DigiCare4You intervention is based on a personalised platform to support the management and self-management of the people in the intervention. Digital tools including healthcare professional (HCP) management platforms, mobile apps and a visual analytics suite have been designed and developed. By harnessing the potential of healthcare digitalisation, DigiCare4You is playing an important part in identifying opportunities that are effective in preventing and managing T2D and HTN and can be scaled up across healthcare systems.
With that said, we would like to welcome you to the second edition of the DigiCare4You newsletter! This second edition gives and update on the development of the project and where we stand regarding scalability and transferability; what consortium partners have been working on behind the scenes; and a round-up of the latest news.
Where are we now?
Recruitment and screening now completed
With the project currently in its third year, participant screening and recruitment have been completed in all four implementation countries. As of November 2023, the two-stage screening was nearly finalised in all four countries with > 18,000 parents/caregivers screened in the first stage via the FINDRISC questionnaire and >2,800 parents/caregivers undergoing blood examinations as part of the second stage screening. More than 800 parents/caregivers living with prediabetes and >350 living with diabetes agreed to participate in the intervention across the four countries. The preliminary results of the first-year intervention are expected in the summer of 2024, while we anticipate reaching the one-year follow-up point for all participants in autumn 2024.
The digital tools are now even better
A second version of the DigiCare4You digital tools has now been developed. Through feedback with local implementers in each country, the digital tools, which include the DiaWatch and MyDiet mobile apps for end users and MetaClinic and MetaDieta for HCPs, have gone through various performance and functional updates and localisation adaptations.
Social collaboration platform nearly ready to be launched
Scalability and transferability is a work in progress
Among the core objectives of the DigiCare4You project is the provision of a supportive social environment within schools and communities aiming to promote the adoption of a healthy and active lifestyle among children and their families. To facilitate this a community-based intervention in the form of a Social Collaboration Platform has been developed. Through this platform, families participating in the intervention, along with the wider community, will be able to communicate, exchange information as well as create, share and participate in social events related to the prevention and management of T2D and HTN and the adoption of healthy habits. The Social Collaboration Platform is expected to launch shortly.
Another core objective of the DigiCare4You project concerns assessing the scalability and transferability of the solution. Consortium partners have been working on developing tools to assess scalability as well as the development of readiness profiles for each implementation country. Discussions and planning of the first International Stakeholder Advisory Board workshop is also underway which will contribute to evaluating the scalability and transferability of the DigiCare4You solution in other regions or countries.
What is happening behind the scenes?
Digital tools can have a positive impact on glycaemic control and blood pressure
Consortium partners published two articles in The Lancet - Digital Health (March 2023) on the effectiveness, reach, uptake and feasibility of digital health interventions for adults with T2D and adults with HTN. The findings can be found in the summary article we published on July 17 2023.
- Effectiveness, reach, uptake, and feasibility of digital health interventions for adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials | Read the article here
- Effectiveness, reach, uptake, and feasibility of digital health interventions for adults with hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials | Read the article here
Digital health interventions can be cost effective or cost saving compared to care as usual
Consortium partners published an article in npj Digital Medicine (August, 2023) on the cost-effectiveness of text messaging, smartphone application and website interventions for the prevention and management of T2D and HTN. More on the study and results can be found in the summary article we published on August 25, 2023.
- Cost effectiveness review of text messaging, smartphone application, and website interventions targeting T2DM or hypertension | Read the article here
DigiCare4You partners met in Tirana for the fourth consortium meeting
Representatives from the 16 DigiCare4You consortium partners gathered in Tirana, Albania, and online, on November 20-21 2023, for the project’s fourth consortium meeting. The consortium partners reviewed the progress achieved in each work package and discussed the next steps for the project. To read more, find the press release we published on our website here on January 24 2024.
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In case you missed it
A WHO Europe study showed that digital tools have a positive effect on health workers
Digital tools including telemedicine, and mobile health technologies were found to positively impact health workers’ performance, clinical practice and management, and enhance the quality and delivery of, and access to, care. This is notable as this is expected to translate into enhanced care for citizens. Curious to read more?
Physical activity has beneficial outcomes for the prevention and management of T2D and HTN
On the occasion of European Week of Sport we highlighted the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity. The theme for 2023 focused on three important pillars of sport: involvement, inclusion and innovation.
- Read the article we wrote on September 25 2023 here
Mental health is a universal human right
Did you know that people living with diabetes (PwD) are two to three times more likely to experience depression? On the occasion of World Mental Health Day we highlighted how mental health conditions impact PwD as well as the new jointly launched guidance by the WHO and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights entitled ‘Mental health, human rights and legislation: guidance and practice”.
Access to diabetes care is key for preventing complications
On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, we joined the campaign in highlighting the importance of knowing your risk of T2D to help delay and prevent the condition as well as highlighting the impact of diabetes-related complications and the importance of having timely access to the right information and care.
- Find the article we wrote on November, 14 2023 here
Diabetes-related resources
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DigiCare4You is on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn
The DigiCare4You accounts on X and LinkedIn promotes the latest news of the project and consortium partners as well as the latest updates and events on T2D, HTN and digital technology in health. Keep up to date by following our accounts below.
About us
DigiCare4You aims to improve the early prevention and management of T2D and HTN.
The project aims to do so by identifying parents/ caregivers already living with, or at risk, of diabetes and hypertension and secondly, developing a person-centred, community-based solution, that uses digital tools, to prevent the development of these conditions and/or improve their management and prevent and delay complications.
Furthermore, the project aims to assess the scalability and transferability of the DigiCare4You solution, within the implementation countries and beyond. The implementation study is conducted in two high-income countries (Greece and Spain) and two middle-income countries (Albania and Bulgaria).
For more information visit our website and social media pages
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