Our Diabetes Program has launched a mobile health patient engagement program for the first time in Arizona. This initiative will target patients with diabetes or diabetes risk factors, as well as at-risk women and children, through the use of automated text messaging.
In partnership with Adelante Healthcare, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), we will use text-message based technology to engage directly with patients to reinforce healthy behaviors—exercise, diet, and care plan adherence—particularly among hard-to-reach populations. We are also working in participation with Adelante’s obstetrics and gynecology physicians to provide educational messaging targeting first-time mothers, which will provide information about what to expect during visits and when follow-ups are required.
We will continue to expand to other FQHCs under the 1305-Public Health in Actions cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This program will improve patient self-management with diabetes and improve clinical outcomes, including increasing frequency of blood glucose monitoring and reducing HbA1c levels through the reinforcement of positive behavioral changes.
This pilot mobile health program has been successful through a contractual agreement with Provider Tech, LLC. For any questions on this innovative project, please contact our Diabetes Prevention and Control Program Manager, Omar Contreras.
A good initiative taken by AZDHS to improve public health. It is amazing that today we can do so much more with the palm sized gadget. It will definitely help patients be more proactive and responsible towards their health issues. Mobile health programs will have a great impact on public health by making people more health conscious. This will have a positive impact on the entire healthcare industry.