Joslin Diabetes Center and American Well, today announced an integration collaboration to explore how to best use telemedicine to treat diabetes in the United States – and eventually, around the world. In this initial collaboration, American Well’s technology will match Joslin’s leading diabetes specialists with patients who need care, offering the ability to provide more frequent, timely, and convenient interactions than may be possible with physical appointments.
According to the World Health Organization, diabetes affects more than 400 million people globally. Working with American Well, Joslin Diabetes Center hopes to leverage the potential of telehealth to improve management of diabetes and its complications for its most complex patients – some of whom travel from around the world to its facility in Boston.
Diabetes is a complex, chronic disease that often involves multiple co-morbid diseases and requires careful and continued management. This includes close patient monitoring, medication adherence and lifestyle and behavioral changes – all well-suited for telehealth. Telehealth can connect care teams working with their patients wherever they are – whether via remote triage and referral to diabetes experts or by coordinating treatment programs using multi-way video.
“We are constantly looking to improve the delivery of the unique care protocols developed here at Joslin to a global audience,” said Dr. Peter Amenta, President and CEO of Joslin Diabetes Center. “Trying out new and innovative care delivery models, such as American Well’s platform, to help scale and extend Joslin’s impact, is an important part of making the best diabetes care truly accessible. We are always excited to more broadly share our best practices in prevention, treatment and management.”
