{"id":10798,"date":"2023-08-02T12:47:07","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T07:17:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fitterfly.com\/blog\/?p=10798"},"modified":"2024-02-08T15:05:21","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T09:35:21","slug":"personalised-care-in-metabolic-health-insights-from-fitterflys-expert-discussion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitterfly.com\/blog\/personalised-care-in-metabolic-health-insights-from-fitterflys-expert-discussion\/","title":{"rendered":"Personalised Care in Metabolic Health: Insights from Fitterfly’s Expert Discussion"},"content":{"rendered":"

Personalised care in metabolic disorders has been one of the most-discussed topics among healthcare professionals in recent years. This concept is a part of the modern medico-academic culture and <\/span>aims to bridge the gap between patients\u2019 expectations and physicians’ services<\/span><\/a> (Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Jan-Feb; 18(1): 4\u20136<\/em>). Personalised treatment also enhances patients\u2019 engagement and involvement in their own therapeutic journey.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fitterfly explored personalised care in metabolic disorders during its latest webinar led by <\/span>Dr. Sanjay Kalra <\/b>(Endocrinologist at Bharti Hospital, Karnal and President, South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies) in conversation with <\/span>Dr. Neelesh Bhandari<\/b><\/a> (Vice President-Physician Partnership, Fitterfly) on July 19<\/span>th<\/span>, 2023. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the key points advocated by the panellists during the interactive webinar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Fig

Fig 1: Dr. Sanjay Kalra [MBBS, MD (Medicine), DM (Endocrinology)]<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Personalised Care in Ancient Indian Medicine<\/b><\/h2>\n

Dr Kalra stressed that even ancient Indian physicians were proponents of person-centred care. The Ayurvedic textbook<\/span> Charaka Samhita<\/i><\/b> written by legendary scholar Agnivesha and later revised by Charaka outlines the <\/span>\u2018Quadruples of Atreya\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/a> (Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Mar-Apr; 21(2): 268\u2013270<\/em>). <\/span><\/p>\n

Here Atreya proposed that a successful therapeutic process requires equal involvement of all stakeholders (physician, patient, drugs, and attendants).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even Thiruvalluvar\u2019s Tamil classic <\/span>Tirukku\u1e5fa\u1e37<\/i><\/b> (verse 950)<\/span> outlines that for good health outcomes, physicians need to strengthen their patients, drugs and attendants. <\/span><\/p>\n

So, ancient Indian medicine followed the correct approach of involving patients as part of the therapeutic team. They practised personalised treatment by respecting the patients\u2019 emotions and accepting the fact that patients have the right to have an opinion in their treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anatomy of an Ideal Personalised Care Plan<\/b><\/h2>\n

The first step of personalised care is focussing on an outcome based on patients’ priorities and preferences. The second step involves charting out the roadway to reach the outcome. Finally, physicians need to emphasise the Biomedical-Psychological-Social-Environmental status of patients and follow an effective treatment plan to achieve the pre-decided outcome.<\/span><\/p>\n

They should first respect the patient for whatever he\/she is, understand their Biomedical-Psychological-Social-Environmental perspective, determine the outcome, and finally create a\u00a0 <\/span>person-centred care plan affirmed by both the patient and the doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Challenges of Implementing Personalised Care<\/b><\/h2>\n

Though <\/span>personalised care seems a simplified concept theoretically, it is a mammoth task to implement it practically. Physicians experience multiple challenges while practising <\/span>person-centred care in their clinics, including time constraints, biomedical-psychological-social health of the doctor, communication skills, compassion fatigue, and emotional fluidity. <\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, with effective time management and by asking patients relevant questions, it becomes possible to address these challenges. This approach enables healthcare providers to delve into patients’ biochemical complaints and their psychological and social health, all within the allotted consultation time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Impact of Smart Gadgets and AI on Treatment<\/b><\/h2>\n

Dr. Kalra believes that smart gadgets, such as smartwatches, smartphones, health apps, and AI, will positively impact person-centered care. Patients now receive real-time updates on various aspects of their health, like the distance they’ve run, calories burned during exercise, and calories consumed from specific foods, all through smart devices.<\/p>\n

In addition, advanced CGM devices offered by DTx platforms like Fitterfly benefit diabetic patients by recording their blood sugar levels multiple times a day and matching them with their food intake within that time frame.<\/p>\n

These smart gadgets and AI not only educate and raise patient awareness but also foster a sense of responsibility toward their treatment. Furthermore, physicians have the opportunity to concentrate on the treatment process and its outcomes.<\/p>\n

Fitterfly conducted a<\/span> real-world effectiveness evaluation of its AI and ML-enabled Diabetes CGM Digital Therapeutics Program for Glycemic Control and Weight Management<\/span><\/a>, which was published in the JMIR Diabetes journal (JMIR Diabetes 2023;8:e43292<\/em>). The study analysed the data of 109 T2DM participants and showed excellent outcomes at the end of 90 days.<\/span><\/p>\n