Introduction to Diabetes Management
Using data to help make decisions on health can improve equity in care and might improve results from care for chronic diseases such as diabetes, research from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has found. “Once you know that this patient needs more support and more frequent encounters with the health care system based on the predictive risk, then you can have tools and techniques to bridge that gap right so that way it can make it more data driven,” said Ujjal Mukherjee, a U. of I. business professor who coauthored the study.
Factors Considered in the Study
He and fellow researchers Dilip Chhajed of Purdue University and Han Ye of Lehigh University took into account factors including demographics, medical history and socioeconomic factors to assess how often people should be seen for medical appointments. They found that risks associated with managing diabetes could be reduced by 19.4% by taking those factors into consideration when deciding on the frequency of appointments.
Predictive Tool Development
Mukherjee said the tool they developed could accurately predict who needs more frequent care. Nationally, more people have health insurance today thanks to the federal Affordable Care Act and other government-led social initiatives. As a result, a more diverse population now has access to health care. But the health system still has “a capacity limitation because more and more people are now under the purview of managed care,” Mukherjee said.
Addressing Capacity Limitations
“So the question then becomes: How do you equitably allocate that capacity across different populations? On one hand, you have to ramp capacity, which requires investment and time. On the other hand, you have this limited capacity.” The researchers said the predictive index they developed can give providers data-driven estimates of risk from diabetes and potentially other chronic conditions. And they could use that, say, to decide how often they should schedule appointments to see patients.
Application of the Predictive Index
“We’re talking of a diverse group of patients with different age groups, different backgrounds, economic backgrounds and social backgrounds, which require awareness and attention towards self-management of chronic care,” Mukherjee said. “This is not something that can replace doctors’ judgment at all, but it can actually aid and augment doctors’ judgment.” The predictive index can be a valuable tool for healthcare providers to make informed decisions about patient care.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers highlights the importance of using data to inform healthcare decisions, particularly for chronic diseases like diabetes. By considering demographics, medical history, and socioeconomic factors, healthcare providers can reduce risks associated with diabetes management and improve patient outcomes. The predictive index developed by the researchers has the potential to aid healthcare providers in making data-driven decisions about patient care, ultimately leading to more equitable and effective healthcare.
FAQs
Q: How often should diabetes patients see a doctor?
A: The frequency of doctor visits for diabetes patients depends on various factors, including demographics, medical history, and socioeconomic factors.
Q: Can data help improve diabetes management?
A: Yes, using data to inform healthcare decisions can improve equity in care and potentially improve results from care for chronic diseases like diabetes.
Q: What is the predictive index developed by the researchers?
A: The predictive index is a tool that gives providers data-driven estimates of risk from diabetes and potentially other chronic conditions, helping them decide how often to schedule appointments with patients.
Q: Can the predictive index replace doctors’ judgment?
A: No, the predictive index is designed to aid and augment doctors’ judgment, not replace it.
