How Telehealth and Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Are Revolutionizing Diabetes Care

Great new article published in Diabetologia that highlights how telehealth and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) are transforming diabetes care. You can read the full article by clicking the link in the first comment below.This topic is personal to me, after spending the last two decades working to advance the adoption of CGM to achieve better outcomes for patients. StrideMD was founded on the mission to prevent serious complications, such as amputations, that are caused by diabetes. We combine remote patient monitoring, telehealth, and health coaching to create a comprehensive approach that prioritizes patient care and accessibility.The statistics are staggering: over 38.4 million Americans are affected by diabetes, and approximately 154,000 people with diabetes undergo amputations each year. The majority of these amputations are preventable through earlier interventions and better access to care. Yet, with patients waiting an average of 37 days for an endocrinology consultation, timely care remains a challenge. This is where telehealth becomes a game-changer.The recent Diabetologia article, published on July 15, 2024 was a real nicely done literature review done. It reports that telehealth, when paired with CGM, results in significant improvements in diabetes management. Specifically, patients using CGM saw an average reduction in HbA1c of 0.4 percentage points compared to those using traditional self-monitoring methods. This reduction directly leads to fewer hospitalizations and better overall glycemic control, especially for those who struggle with access to in-person care.At StrideMD, we’re at the forefront of integrating CGM with telehealth to deliver personalized, real-time support to our patients, regardless of location. We believe that embracing these technological advancements helps bridge the gap in care and prevents unnecessary complications like amputations, which continue to affect so many people living with diabetes.As healthcare professionals, we have a responsibility to innovate and adapt. Telehealth not only facilitates remote consultations but also enables continuous monitoring, which significantly improves patient outcomes and ensures that care is both timely and effective.With over 1.4 million new diabetes diagnoses annually, the need for better and more accessible care has never been greater. By leveraging telehealth and CGM, we can meet the growing demand for diabetes care, reduce complications, and improve the quality of life for millions of people. I encourage all of you to continue supporting innovations that make a meaningful difference in patient care. Its not just numbers. Its real people and they need our help. Let’s work together to provide better, more timely, and accessible care for people living with diabetes.