New software experiment seeks to improve care for diabetics

Twenty-five diabetic patients will be given computers that connect them to health care providers to maintain an ongoing dialogue about their condition, and allow doctors to monitor their status, in a new patient-care experiment by Microsoft and the University of Miami, the Miami Herald reports.

The patients can send blood-sugar levels and other data in real time, while physicians can "nudge" patient's who veer from appropriate care "with an e-mail."

"Under the pilot program, 'we're testing the concept that, what will happen if all the patients are able to interact with doctors and nurses through a portal,' a [Miami medical professor] said. 'Will that lead to more prevention? More wellness? . . . It's a very interactive process,''' the Herald reports. Experts say the program – which could improve efficiencies by reducing the number of expensive hospital visits by the chronically ill – reflects Washington's focus on reducing unnecessary costs as part of health reform (Dorschner, 6/11).