Benefits to health care professionals and patients with diabetes of a novel blood glucose meter that provides pattern recognition and real-time automatic messaging compared to conventional paper logbooks

Abstract

Abstract Background: Self-monitoring of blood glucose is crucial for maintaining overall blood glucose (BG) levels. Health care professionals (HCPs) must rapidly assess patient BG data and recommend treatment changes, as appropriate, during short office visits. A meter offering automatic BG pattern recognition and in-the-moment messaging may change how HCPs and patients with diabetes work together to achieve glycemic control. Methods: Two separate studies evaluated the potential benefits of the OneTouch Verio® BG monitoring system. In one study, 64 HCPs were evaluated on their ability to rapidly recognise BG patterns in simulated logbooks compared to using the meter, before completing a survey on potential benefits of the meter to themselves and their patients. In the other study, patients with diabetes used the meter at home for 1 week before also completing a survey. Results: Patients indicated that the meter was simple to use and understand. For HCPs, using the meter to identify BG patterns was significantly faster and more accurate than using a logbook. In addition, HCPs believed the meter features would make interpreting BG results easier for patients. Conclusions: An easy to use meter with in-the-moment BG insights may help improve patient management of glycemic control between office visits. In addition, using the meter may improve efficiency during office visits.