NEWS
Notes from America
App pros & cons
A debate on the usefulness of diabetes
apps led to more attendees questioning
their worth. An online webinar saw
two experts discussing the pros and
cons of the use of smartphone apps
to help manage diabetes. At the start
of the debate, 91% of the 57 diabetes
professionals agreed with the premise,
'Are Diabetes Apps Worth It?' However,
this fell to 83% by the end of the debate.
Arguing for the con side, Josip Car,
Director of the World Health Organisation
Collaborating Centre for Digital Health and
Health Education at Nanyang Technological
University, Singapore, said that studies
showing the effectiveness of diabetes apps
have been "disappointing" and that there
are issues around data privacy. However, he
did acknowledge that "there is no denying
the usefulness of apps," and that "they work
for certain patients."
Taking the pro side, endocrinologist
David Ahn, Program Director, Mary &
Dick Allen Diabetes Center, California,
agreed that the use of apps might not
translate into better patient outcomes.
However, he did state that apps can
provide high-quality data that can be
exchanged from patient to clinician, they
enable telemedicine, and that they can
give patients access to a social support
network.
Both agreed that clinicians would
benefit from a type of 'independent
clearinghouse' that would identify the
best diabetes apps. Going forward, the
"best apps would be paired to diabetes
devices, supported by companies," Ahn
said. "We do want to see apps play a role
- just in the right way," summarised Car.
The webinar by the Healthcare
Delivery and Quality Improvement group
of the American Diabetes Association was
held in January. To read more about the
debate click HERE.
Funding innovation
The American Diabetes Association (ADA)
is awarding a total of $3.25m to two
researchers to support breakthroughs in
science, technology, care and potential
cures in the field of diabetes. The funding
comes from the Pathway to Stop Diabetes
grants, and both researchers will receive
$1.625m over five years. Judith Agudo,
from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in
Massachusetts, will look at 'Harnessing
immune privilege mechanisms from stem
cells to protect beta-cells from immune
attack'. Maxence V Nachury, from the
University of California, will look at the
'Regulation of body weight homeostasis
and betacell function by primary cilia'.
To learn more about the programme
and research click HERE.
Journaling diabetes
A kickstarter for a diabetes self journal has
launched in the US. The Type U Diabetic
Journal is a space for users to 'remind,
record, recognise and reflect' when it
comes to living with diabetes. The journal
is created by Chris Polhemus, who was
diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the
age of 7. It is designed to help people set
achievable goals every 30 days to better
their health and wellbeing and overall
blood glucose control. It is suitable for
people of all ages with either Type 1, Type
2, gestational diabetes and those who are
classed as pre-diabetic. Polhemus has
also started a campaign about his journal
on Kickstarter (bit.ly/DiabeticJournal1).
www.typeudiabetic.com