Reporting shows higher rates of preventive screening for major illness and a risk reduction for hypertension in patients during the course of one year.
TimeDoc Health, a best-in-class solution provider for virtual care management, chronic condition management (CCM), and remote patient monitoring, has released findings from a partnership with StayWell Health, a federally qualified health center multispecialty practice with three primary care locations in Connecticut.
A staff of clinical managers and administrators from StayWell Health implemented the digital platform and team-based services model in June 2018, enrolling thousands of patients to better track symptoms and treatment adherence. Those included in the study were all enrolled in TimeDoc Health’s CCM program, which looked at 16 different quality measures to determine the effectiveness of delivering care remotely. The study ran through December 31, 2022.
“In looking at the results, we were most encouraged by two things: remission of symptoms and adherence to treatment. Our patients span a wide range of ages, socioeconomic status, and medical history. With TimeDoc Health’s partnership we saw an increase in voluntary cancer screenings, improved blood pressure readings overall, and compliance with key physical exams needed to measure holistic health,” said StayWell Health Geriatrician Alison Grover, MD, MPH.
The goal of the partnership is to both enact the preventative measures needed to mitigate the impact of chronic illness and to clinically manage symptomatic patients. Most notably, the patients who engaged in CCM were 40% more compliant with diabetic eye exams and performed 12% better in the A1c control category. The same population was 22% and 21% more compliant with colorectal cancer and breast cancer screenings, respectively.
Two other outliers in the data occurred with increased blood pressure control and reduced HbA1C levels for diabetic patients. Many patients in lower socioeconomic populations struggle with access to transportation and other social determinants that prevent quality care.
“TimeDoc Health has helped bring us closer to our patients, assisting with gathering patient data that our clinical team can use to promote an increase in adherence with treatment plans and overall quality of life needs,” Dr. Grover added. “With more consistent engagement, we can deliver care that’s tailored to individual needs and work toward improved patient outcomes.”
TimeDoc Health care coordinators engage patients monthly and are trained to identify any changes in mental or behavioral health. This enables StayWell Health providers to act decisively and to present additional interventions, such as a referral to therapy or medications that help patients to achieve remission. During the study, screening for depression improved by 86%, using a preventive approach that both manages internal staffing resources and allows for early intervention.
“We’re proud of the level of engagement we have seen with StayWell Health and believe that this is the blueprint for a successful technology and services partnership in healthcare,” said TimeDoc Health Vice President of Clinical Strategy Sarah Cameron. “Every patient has a different preference and expectation of their healthcare provider and we can now help tailor that, improving confidence in the system and reaching clinical consensus faster.”
About StayWell Health Center
StayWell Health Center, based in Connecticut, is an FQHC and PCMH certified by NCQA serving patients with the three largest sites providing CCM services to patients. Staywell Health Center is committed to providing high quality health care and social services for individuals and families throughout their lives. They care for the whole person by providing and coordinating medical, dental, and mental health with the focus on prevention. For more information, visit www.staywellhealth.org.