Common Sensing
and Welkin Health said last month that the companies are partnering to develop a digital diabetes management program designed to improve insulin adherence.
The companies plan to craft a program that combines insulin dosing data collected from Common Sensing’s Gocap smart insulin pen with Welkin Health’s digital coaches to support patients with diabetes.
The Gocap device is designed to collect and monitor patients’ insulin doses, according to co-founder & president James White.
“We are the 1st company that is monitoring and delivering home insulin use support in a scalable way,” he said in an interview with Medgadget.
“The program we’re developing with Welkin will provide a critical element that is missing from home insulin delivery—a human touch,” White said in prepared remarks. “If an individual is taking the wrong amount of insulin or misses an insulin dose, they will be contacted immediately by a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) who can work with the user to resolve the issue. Data-driven, real-time intervention from coaches will set insulin users up for success between doctor visits, improving the health of people living with diabetes.”
Researchers estimate that more than 60% of patients beginning insulin therapy stop within the first 3 months, according to Welkin Health. The companies anticipate that their platform will identify triggers, including a drop in glucose levels or a missed dose, and prompt a CDE to provide real-time feedback and advice to the patient.
“Adherence challenges continue to be an issue for people managing diabetes, yet, research shows, individuals who receive health coaching are likely to be more consistent and adherent to medication,” Welkin Health CEO & co-founder Chase Hensel added. “If a patient stops taking their insulin or misses a dose, there’s a reason for that—we want to understand why. The real-time data that care teams will receive through our program, as well as the ability to react swiftly when prompted, will afford more opportunities to keep patients on track with insulin regimens and we believe, vastly improve insulin adherence and overall health outcomes.”
